FRED BILLINGTON : ENGLISH SINGER & ACTOR : CELEBRITIES OF THE STAGE : TUCK RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features English singer and actor, Fred Billington (1854-1917). He is most identified for his baritone roles in the Savoy Operas. He performed with the D’Orly Carte Opera Company from 1879 until his death (1917). Billington also performed in America. His resume includes one stint on Broadway, in the play, “Ruddigore (1887). He also performed in a command performance of “The Mikado” (1891) for Queen Victoria. In 1917, was asked to lunch by the Rupert Carte, the proprietor of the D’Orly Carte Opera Company. Billington was informed that it was time for him to retire from the company. He was considered too past his prime. After finishing lunch and Carte’s departure from the restaurant, Billington sat and chatted with a waiter. When it was time for Billington to leave, he stood up from the table, walked toward the exit, and dropped dead. This postcard was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of the Celebrities of the Stage series (no.T1248). SOLD

Published in: on October 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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AILEEN DAVIES AS MAD MARGARET IN “RUDDIGORE” : D’OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

This vintage real photo postcard features actress and singer, Miss Aileen Davies (1902-1981). At first glance, this image appears to be a photograph of a pretty woman on a bad hair day. However, this is actually a photograph of Miss Davies playing the role of “Mad Margaret” in “Ruddigore”. The comic opera was also known as “The Witches Curse”. The production was presented by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the music and libretto was written by Gilbert and Sullivan. It was first performed in 1887 for a run of 288 performances and was revived in 1920. The “Gasbag” (2006) quotes a review of Miss Davies performance in a 1926 revival of “Ruddigore”. In regard to the actress, the reviewer admires “her prissy delivery and skittish style” and describes her “wonderful sexy lift ” into song. This photo postcard was published by Parksle Pictures as part of a series (No. 157). Davies is best known for her role in The Mikado (1926). The YouTube video below presents Beatrice Elburn, Elsie Griffin, and Aileen Davies, performing a song from “The Mikado”. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans). SOLD

Published in: on May 5, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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