Arthur Forrest (1850-1908), English music hall comedian and pantomime dame, in character on a song sheet cover for the song ‘I Couldn’t Say No; or, The Beautiful Song and Dance Lady,’ written and composed by Charles Williams
(published by V. & A. Dobrowolski, London; lithography by Concanen & Spalding, London, 1889)
Oxford music hall, London, week beginning Monday, I March 1886
‘Mr Arthur Forrest notions of humour are not in accord with those of Oxford frequenters, who could not, or would not, see the point of his songs, though applauding some slight eccentricities in a step dance.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 6 March 1886, p. 10a)
Royal Clarence Theatre, Dover, week beginning Monday, 20 September 1886
‘Mr Arthur Forrest has a melodious voice and dramatic ability.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 25 September 1885, p. 16a)<br.
Deacon’s music hall, London, week beginning, Monday, 27 June 1887
‘Mr Arthur Forrest was very successful in entertaining his audience in song and dance, more especially the latter, which was eccentric to a degree and laughable. ”The girl I saw in my dreams,” one of his selections, has a good tune, and tells a fairly amusing story, but Mr. Forrest should immediately avoid the trick of shutting his eyes when singing. It is absurd, and spoils his otherwise comic efforts.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 2 July 1887, p. 17a)
The Trocadero, London, week beginning Monday, 24 June 1889
‘Mr Arthur Forrest’s song and dance lady roused the somewhat languid spectators to laughter by its excellent parody of the school of dancing in which white lace petticoats are duly displayed. Who has not seen the merry little nymph, exhibiting clouds of lace, kick up her heels, and bring the more susceptible of her audience under the spell of her fascinations. Mr Forrest has taken this school of lady dancers and burlesqued it. As he is a capital exponent of the saltatory art, he has no difficulty in executing the steps, and the well-known tricks with the petticoats affected by his professional sisters he hits off funnily and without offence.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 29 June 1889, p. 15b)
‘MUSIC HALL GOSSIP…
‘Mr Arthur Forrest has christened his beautiful song and dance lady Princess Prettypet, and she comes forward to receive a bouquet provided by herself from the hands of the conductor. She presses this to her lips, and then the fun begins. The bouquet is flowerless but full of flour, and finally blossoms into the portrait of an infant in long clothes.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 21 September 1889, p. 15c)
Footlight Notes 