Chu-Chin-Chow, New York, 1916

The cover of the ‘Souvenir and Story of the Play’ for the New York production of Oscar Asche’s Chu-Chin-Chow, a ‘Musical Tale of the East,’ which was produced at the Manhattan Opera House, New York, on 22 October 1917, transferring to the Century Theatre, New York, on 14 January 1918. After a total of 208 performances the production went on a United States tour.
(‘Designed, Engraved and Printed by The Sackett & Wilhelms Corporation, New York,’ 1917)

The original London production of Chu-Chin-Chow, was produced at His Majesty’s Theatre on 31 August 1916 and ran until 22 July 1921, a total of 2238 performances. The leading roles of Abu Hasan and Zahrat Al-Kulub were first played in London respectively by Oscar Ashe (1871-1936) and his wife, Lily Brayton (1876-1953). In New York those parts were taken by Tyrone Power senior (1869-1931) and Florence Reed (1883-1967).

Advertisement

Roxy Barton as Titania in the revival of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, produced by Oscar Asche at the Adelphi Theatre, London, 1905

Roxy Barton (1879-1962), Australian actress, as she appeared as Titania in the revival of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, produced by Oscar Asche at the Adelphi Theatre, London, on 25 November 1905. Other members of the cast including Oscar Asche as Bottom and Beatrice Ferrar as Puck.
(postcard photo: Alfred Ellis & Walery, London, 1905; published in London by J. Beagles & Co, no. 24 P)

For a drawing by Charles A. Buchel of Oscar Asche, Roxy Barton and Beatrice Ferrar in their respective roles in this production, see the Folger Shakespeare Library. Another drawing by A.M. Faulkner of Osche as Bottom and Barton as Titania is in the same collection.

Roxy Claudia May Barton, the daughter of Russell Barton and his wife, Jane McCulloch Davie, was born in Sydney, NSW, Australia, on 8 May 1879. She was married at the parish church of St. Marylebone, London, on 14 June 1906 to the actor Henry Stephenson.

‘A most interesting wedding, which took place recently in London, was that of Miss Roxy Barton, daughter of Mr. Russell Barton, of Five Dock. You will doubtless remember Miss Barton, a very tall, handsome girl, and a clever actress, any who played several seasons in Sydney, notably rather a long one with The Message from Mars Company. It was that self-same messenger whom Miss Barton was married – Mr. Henry Stephenson Garraway, known on the stage as Henry Stephenson. Thus they met for the first time, and the engagement has been one of long standing. She is said to have made an extremely handsome bride. Mr. and Mrs. Garraway intend playing for a season in the States, where something good has been offered to them. It will probably be a long time before Mrs. Garraway returns to her native land. When she does she will receive a hearty welcome, as she has a large circle of friends.’
(The Sydney Mail, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Wednesday, 4 July 1906, p. 48b)

Roxy Barton died at the Plymouth Nursing Home, Penarth, Glamorgan on 1 March 1962.

Lily Brayton and Oscar Asche in Atilla

Lily Brayton (1876-1953) as Ildico and Oscar Asche (1871-1936) as Atilla in Laurence Binyon’s poetical tragedy Atilla, produced at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, on 4 September 1907
(photo: Daily Mirror Studios, London, 1907)

This real photograph postcard, no. 4030 O in the Rotary Photographic Series, issued in 1907 by The Rotary Photographic Co of London, shows Lily Brayton and Oscar Asche in the leading roles of Atilla, Laurence Binyon’s four act poetical tragedy, which was sumptuously produced at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, on 4 September 1907. Although Asche subsequently took Atilla on tour it was among the least successful of his productions, the original run having survived for only 32 performances. Other members of the cast included Godfrey Tearle, J. Fisher White, R. Ian Penny, Gordon Harker, Mary Rorke and Irene Rooke.