Grace Huntley in Dorothy

Grace Huntley (née Fanny Taylor, 1860?-1896), Scottish actress and singer, as she appeared in Dorothy, the successful comedy opera by B.C. Stephenson, with music by Alfred Cellier, which was first produced at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on 25 September 1886. The production was transferred to the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, London, on 20 December 1886 and Miss Huntley joined the cast there to play the part of Phyllis Tuppitt in March 1887. Dorothy was subsequently transferred on 17 December 1888 to the Lyric Theatre, London, and its run finally ended on 6 April 1889 after a run of 931 performances and many changes of cast.
(photo: unknown, probably London, 1887)

‘Regret will be felt in play-going circles at the news of the death, at Harrogate, of Miss Grace Huntley, one of the best known and most successful of burlesque actresses. She was the sister of Mrs. Richard Edgar, and had another sister and brother connected with the stage.’
(The Leeds Mercury, Leeds, Wednesday, 14 October 1896, p. 5h)

DEATHS.
‘HUNTLEY. – On Oct. 10th [1896], at Harrogate, of Bright’s disease, Grace Huntley, actress’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 17 October 1896, p. 14d)

‘Pick-Me-Up pays the following kindly tribute to the memory of Miss Grace Huntley and to the good work she did in Bristol:- ”The death of Miss Grace Huntley removes from the stage one who in her time was probably the best ‘principal boy’ we have had. Miss Huntley had, of course, been ‘principal boy’ at Drury Lane, but it was in provincial pantomimes – where the ‘principal boy’ is expected to work, not only to be looked at p that she was seen at her best. I have seen, I imagine, pretty well all the ‘principal boys’ in England, but with the exception of Ada Blanche (the Ada Blanche of five years ago) there was never a pantomime ‘boy’ to rival Miss Huntley. Her particular ‘note’ was a peculiar softness of speech and a certain indefinable charm, which was quite irresistible. Her voice never jarred upon you, and to gain her success she never resorted to anything but what was strictly legitimate. She was at the height of her ability, perhaps, seven or eight years ago. At Bristol, about that time, she was a particular favourite, and nothing could have been better than her performances in Mr. [John Henry] Chute’s Prince’s Theatre pantomimes, where she appeared several years running. Those who, like myself, had the pleasure of seeing her on those occasions will not easily forget her memory.’
(The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post, Saturday, 31 October 1896, p. 8e)

‘The will of Miss Fanny Taylor, popularly known by her professional name of Grace Huntley, who died on Oct. 10th, at 13, Belmont-avenue, Harrogate, has been proved in London by Mr James Kenwick Edward, the sole executor, by whom the testatrix’s personalty is sworn at £2,416 9s. 8d. gross, and £2,385 15s. 8d. net.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 14 November 1896, p. 12a)

Grace Huntley, Scottish actress and singer, as she appeared in Dorothy, London, 1887

Grace Huntley (née Fanny Taylor, 1860?-1896), Scottish actress and singer, as she appeared in Dorothy, the successful comedy opera by B.C. Stephenson, with music by Alfred Cellier, which was first produced at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on 25 September 1886. The production was transferred to the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, London, on 20 December 1886 and Miss Huntley joined the cast there to play the part of Phyllis Tuppitt in March 1887. Dorothy was subsequently transferred on 17 December 1888 to the Lyric Theatre, London, and its run finally ended on 6 April 1889 after a run of 931 performances and many changes of cast.
(photo: unknown, probably London, 1887)

‘Regret will be felt in play-going circles at the news of the death, at Harrogate, of Miss Grace Huntley, one of the best known and most successful of burlesque actresses. She was the sister of Mrs. Richard Edgar, and had another sister and brother connected with the stage.’
(The Leeds Mercury, Leeds, Wednesday, 14 October 1896, p. 5h)

DEATHS.
‘HUNTLEY. – On Oct. 10th [1896], at Harrogate, of Bright’s disease, Grace Huntley, actress’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 17 October 1896, p. 14d)

‘Pick-Me-Up pays the following kindly tribute to the memory of Miss Grace Huntley and to the good work she did in Bristol:- ”The death of Miss Grace Huntley removes from the stage one who in her time was probably the best ‘principal boy’ we have had. Miss Huntley had, of course, been ‘principal boy’ at Drury Lane, but it was in provincial pantomimes – where the ‘principal boy’ is expected to work, not only to be looked at p that she was seen at her best. I have seen, I imagine, pretty well all the ‘principal boys’ in England, but with the exception of Ada Blanche (the Ada Blanche of five years ago) there was never a pantomime ‘boy’ to rival Miss Huntley. Her particular ‘note’ was a peculiar softness of speech and a certain indefinable charm, which was quite irresistible. Her voice never jarred upon you, and to gain her success she never resorted to anything but what was strictly legitimate. She was at the height of her ability, perhaps, seven or eight years ago. At Bristol, about that time, she was a particular favourite, and nothing could have been better than her performances in Mr. [John Henry] Chute’s Prince’s Theatre pantomimes, where she appeared several years running. Those who, like myself, had the pleasure of seeing her on those occasions will not easily forget her memory.’
(The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post, Saturday, 31 October 1896, p. 8e)

‘The will of Miss Fanny Taylor, popularly known by her professional name of Grace Huntley, who died on Oct. 10th, at 13, Belmont-avenue, Harrogate, has been proved in London by Mr James Kenwick Edward, the sole executor, by whom the testatrix’s personalty is sworn at £2,416 9s. 8d. gross, and £2,385 15s. 8d. net.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 14 November 1896, p. 12a)

Grace Huntley (née Fanny Taylor, 1860?-1896), Scottish actress and singer, as she appeared in Dorothy, the successful comedy opera by B.C. Stephenson, with music by Alfred Cellier, which was first produced at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on 25 September 1886. The production was transferred to the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, London, on 20 December 1886 and Miss Huntley joined the cast there to play the part of Phyllis Tuppitt in March 1887. Dorothy was subsequently transferred on 17 December 1888 to the Lyric Theatre, London, and its run finally ended on 6 April 1889 after a run of 931 performances and many changes of cast.
(photo: unknown, probably London, 1887)

‘Regret will be felt in play-going circles at the news of the death, at Harrogate, of Miss Grace Huntley, one of the best known and most successful of burlesque actresses. She was the sister of Mrs. Richard Edgar, and had another sister and brother connected with the stage.’
(The Leeds Mercury, Leeds, Wednesday, 14 October 1896, p. 5h)

DEATHS.
‘HUNTLEY. – On Oct. 10th [1896], at Harrogate, of Bright’s disease, Grace Huntley, actress’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 17 October 1896, p. 14d)

’Pick-Me-Up pays the following kindly tribute to the memory of Miss Grace Huntley and to the good work she did in Bristol:- “The death of Miss Grace Huntley removes from the stage one who in her time was probably the best ‘principal boy’ we have had. Miss Huntley had, of course, been ‘principal boy’ at Drury Lane, but it was in provincial pantomimes – where the ‘principal boy’ is expected to work, not only to be looked at p that she was seen at her best. I have seen, I imagine, pretty well all the ‘principal boys’ in England, but with the exception of Ada Blanche (the Ada Blanche of five years ago) there was never a pantomime ‘boy’ to rival Miss Huntley. Her particular ‘note’ was a peculiar softness of speech and a certain indefinable charm, which was quite irresistible. Her voice never jarred upon you, and to gain her success she never resorted to anything but what was strictly legitimate. She was at the height of her ability, perhaps, seven or eight years ago. At Bristol, about that time, she was a particular favourite, and nothing could have been better than her performances in Mr. [John Henry] Chute’s Prince’s Theatre pantomimes, where she appeared several years running. Those who, like myself, had the pleasure of seeing her on those occasions will not easily forget her memory.’
(The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post, Saturday, 31 October 1896, p. 8e)

‘The will of Miss Fanny Taylor, popularly known by her professional name of Grace Huntley, who died on Oct. 10th, at 13, Belmont-avenue, Harrogate, has been proved in London by Mr James Kenwick Edward, the sole executor, by whom the testatrix’s personalty is sworn at £2,416 9s. 8d. gross, and £2,385 15s. 8d. net.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 14 November 1896, p. 12a)

Bessie Butt

Bessie Butt (fl. early 20th century), English dancer, actress and singer, as principal boy in Aladdin, pantomime, Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Christmas 1909
(photo: Langfier, Glasgow, 1909)

‘Born in London within the sound of Bow Bells [the traditional description of a Cockney], Miss Bessie Butt commenced her stage career at a very early age by playing the child part in [Minnie Palmer’s popular vehicle] My Sweetheart. While still in her early ‘teens she toured through many European countries in company with her brothers – the Reed Family – and made quite a big reputation as a transformation dancer, being billed as “Baby Butt.” An unfortunate illness kept her from the stage for a long period, and her next appearance was under the management of Mr. John Tiller, who looked upon her as one of the most promising of his young recruits.
‘Having ambitions, Miss Butt decided on doing a single turn on the halls, and at once sprang into popularity wherever she appeared. The late Walter Summers saw her, and recommended her so highly to Mr Robert Arthur that she was engaged by him as second girl for the Kennington theatre pantomime of Red Riding Hood, and there she made her first great success in [singing] “Ma blushing Rosie.” The late Clement Scott [dramatist and theatre critic, 1841-1904] was so taken with this number that he went several times to hear it. Miss butt’s next appearance was [on tour] under the management of Mr. George Edwardes as Susan in The Toreador [originated by Violet Lloyd, Gaiety, London, 17 June 1901], and this was followed by Sophie in A Country Girl [originated by Ethel Irving, Daly’s, London, 18 January 1902] and Thisbe in The Orchid [originated by Gabrielle Ray, Gaiety, London, 26 October 1903]. After this she was for twelve months at the London Coliseum, where she created several parts, notably the Black Pearl in Mr. Leslie Stuart’s song specially written for Mr. Eugene Stratton, and produced at the Coliseum in 1905. She also appeared as a wonderfully life-like doll in Mr. Will Bishop’s [ballet] My Gollywog. This was in 1906.
‘A pantomime engagement as Cinderella at Cheltenham was followed by a return to the halls under the managements of Mr. Oswald Stoll, the late Mr. G.A. Payne, and others; and then Miss Butt was seen and secured by Mr. Lester Collingwood to play the title roole in his pantomime of Cinderella at the Alexandra, Birmingham, in 1907. The success was phenomenal, as the run of the pantomime was a record for the country. On that occasion also Miss Butt won the “Owl” cake and diamond ring in a local beauty competition. This year Miss Butt has discarded skirts and gone in for principal boy, and as Dandini at the Royal County Theatre, Kingston, she is undoubtedly the hit of a most successful [Cinderella] pantomime [; other members of the cast were Dorothy Grassdorf, Hilda Vining and Laurie Wylie]. During her short career she has introduced many popular songs, of which probably the most successful have been “Scarecrow,” “Amelia Snow,” “Cherries are blooming,” “Peggy, the pride of the Mill,” and “Sunshine Soo,” her latest effusion, which is likely to eclipse in popularity all the others.
Gifted with youth, beauty, a sweetly clear and distinct voice, a genius for dancing, and unlimited vivacity, there is no knowing to what heights this clever lady may aspire.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 30 January 1909, p.13c)

Bessie Butt
(photo: White, Bradford, circa 1908)