What was a portable theatre?
Who were Bennett and Patch?Where did Mrs Garrett's theatre stand in Chapeltown?
How did travelling theatres advertise and recruit their performers?
An illustrated talk of interest to local historians, family historians and anyone curious about provincial theatre before the advent of moving pictures.
Views: 418 | Enquiries: 1I am a retired university lecturer and teacher as well as a writer. I write non-fiction books and articles and I’m a historical novelist with two novels to my name. My particular interest is the 19th century: popular entertainment, theatre, music hall and circus, although I do stray into the 20th century. I have appeared on The One Show, The World’s Oldest Joke (with Sir Michael Grade) and in documentaries about fairs and circuses on BBC4. I’ve been a guest expert on Who Do You Think You Are twice, once with Sheridan Smith and in 2016 with Sir Ian McKellan. Recently I appeared in the second series of the BBC's A House Through Time, when the location was Newcastle. .My talks are informative, well-researched and well-presented. Someone said to me recently, “I could have listened to you for another hour!” Praise indeed.
All of my talks are illustrated with good quality Powerpoint slides. I bring my own lap-top and projector. And a screen if necessary.
As well as the East Midlands (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire), I will travel to the West Midlands and South Yorkshire . Of course, all of my talks are available via Zoom.
And I will try and help if you need a speaker at short notice.
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