Pattie Bella (fl. late 19th/early 20th Century), English music hall serio-comic and dancer
(photo: unknown, probably UK, circa 1897)
This real photograph cigarette card, featuring a portrait of Pattie Bella, was issued in England about 1900 with Ogden’s Guinea Gold Cigarettes.
‘Miss Pattie Bella, who is new to the London halls, is fulfilling a successful engagement at Collins’s.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 31 July 1897, p. 17c)
Grand music hall, Clapham, south London
‘Miss Pattie Bella tells in song of the dire treatment to be meted out to a prevaricating and faithless lover ”If ever they meet again,” and with ”It’s a secret, boys,” and ”I can’t tell you the rest” the dainty comedienne secures admiration and applause.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 16 April 1898, p. 18c)
Eastern Empire music hall, Bow, east London
‘A dashing appearance and charming manner carry Miss Pattie Bella at once into favour, and her songs ”It’s a secret, boys,” and ”I can’t tell you the rest” are given with a vivacity that compels admiration and wins uproarious applause.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 14 May 1898, p. 18b)
London music hall, Shoreditch, east London
‘Miss Pattie Bella, serio and dancer, trips on to sing ”I’m a bachelor girl” and ”It’s a secret.” It is no secret, however, that Miss Bella obtains a flattering reception here, and she deserves it.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 28 May 1898, p. 18b)
Pattie Bella is also recorded as having appeared as Ganem in the pantomime Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, produced at the Palace Theatre, Plymouth, on 23 December 1912. The star of the piece was May Moore Duprez.
Footlight Notes 