This vintage real photo postcard features English Victorian and Edwardian actress, Dame Madge Kendal (1848-1935). Her photograph was taken by the Johnston and Hoffmann studio. The postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.197 B). The postcard is in excellent condition (see scans). She appears to be in a stage costume. Mrs Kendal was most well known for her Shakespeare and English comedy roles. Along with her husband, she became a major theater manager. Madge was the product of a theatrical family. Her father ran a chain of theaters. She made her stage debut in London at the age of four. As a teenager she played with major stars in Shakespeare in West End theaters. At 21, she joined the Haymarket theater. She met actor W H Kendal and married him while in the Haymarket company. The pair often played in the same productions and became known as “The Kendals”. After much success in English productions, the couple successfully ran the St James Theater between 1879 and 1888. In the late 1800’s and early 1890’s the couple went of a US tour that played in more than 40 cities. They returned to act in Britain for more that a decade before retiring in 1908. Madge was known for her success at playing comic roles.. She had more mixed reviews when performing in serious parts. She and her husband worked hard to make acing a more socially respectable profession and she became known as “the matron of the English theater”. She was also active in charitable causes.
Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5300
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$19.00
Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #5300
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$29.00
