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The online magazine of Theatre Heritage Australia
Elisabeth Kumm

Elisabeth Kumm

Elisabeth is a founding member of the Victoria Theatres Trust. Her series Pets of the Public was a regular feature of On Stage from 1999 to 2005, looking at “forgotten” nineteenth century performers. She continues to contribute articles for the THA website, and from 2018 has been editor of the THA Newsletter. As a theatrical historian and biographer she assisted Viola Tait with her book on pantomime – Dames, Principal Boys…and All That (published by Macmillan in 2001) and also worked with her on her memoirs I Have a Song to Sing (published by THA in 2018). Elisabeth has also undertaken research for the Riley/Hailes Scrapbook and JCW Scene Books projects. Most recently she has been working on the Falk Studios album project including acting as editor of The Falk Studios book (published by THA in 2021). 

Monday, 01 May 2017

GHILONI, Celia (1879-1955)

Australian actress & vocalist. Née Rosabella Ethel Celia Ghiloni. Born 22 February 1879, VIC, Australia. Married (1) Barnett Breslau (salesman), 2 March 1898, Perth, WA, Australia (div. 1908), (2) Ronald Horace Macpherson (explorer), November 1908, Bombay, India (div. 1919), (3) Alfred J Mellor (sharebroker), 1920, Perth, WA, Australia. Died 1955, Perth, WA, Australia.

On stage in Australia, 1904-1920, performing principally in the companies of JC Williamson. Settled in Perth following third marriage.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 171.

Monday, 01 May 2017

FOXCROFT, Emily (fl. 1900s)

English operatic vocalist (contralto).

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 211.

Monday, 01 May 2017

FORDE, J.M. (1840-1929)

Irish-Australian journalist. Né Joseph Michael David Forde. Born 9 May 1840, Dublin, Ireland. Married (1) Ellen Daly Creeden, 1862, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, (2) Amy Anne Beasley Rigney, 1918, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Died 3 May 1929, Hazelbrook, NSW, Australia.

As 'Hayseed' and 'Old Chum' wrote numerous columns for the Sydney Sportsman and Truth, such as Sportsmen of the Past, Old Theatricals and Mummer Memoirs (1904-1914), Early Melbourne and Early Sydney. Also wrote as 'The Oldest Inhabitant' and 'The Rambler'.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 177.

Monday, 01 May 2017

FORD, Herbert (fl. 1910s)

English actor & journalist.

On stage in England and Australia. Brought to Australia by JC Williamson Ltd in 1912 to appear in Milestones alongside Julius Knight. Remained in Australia until at least 1917.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 222.

Monday, 01 May 2017

FOLI, Signor (1835-1899)

Irish operatic vocalist (bass). Né Allan James Foley.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 257.

Monday, 01 May 2017

FITZWILLIAM, Mrs (1801-1880)

English actress. Née Frances Copeland. Died 19 October 1880, Wellington, New Zealand.

On stage in England and Australia. Performed leading roles at Haymarket Theatre in London. In Australia in 1870s for GBW Lewis.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 9.

Monday, 01 May 2017

FITZGERALD, Alec (1831-1885)

Irish actor. Né Alexander Fitzgerald. Married (1) -, (2) Mary Orton. Died 31 August 1885, New York, USA.

On stage in USA and Australia from 1850s.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 187.

English operatic vocalist (bass). Né Robert Farquharson Smith. Born 26 May 1820, London, England. Died 14 February 1880, London, England.

On stage in Australia during the 1850s.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 232.

Monday, 01 May 2017

FARLEY, Edward (d. 1916)

Welsh operatic vocalist (baritone). Né Edward Hughes. Married Eliza Nichols. Died 11 March 1916, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

On stage in England, Australia and USA.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 232.

French-English actor & vocalist. Born 23 April 1864/1867, Smyrna, Greece. Son of French father and English mother. Cousin of Jack Cannot (actor). Died 21 March 1916, New York City, New York, USA, aged 52.

On stage in England from 1899.

Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, page 173.

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