Showing Theatrical London in Old Photographs (Britain in Old Photographs) by Patricia Berry

This unique collection of rare photographs brings the distant world of the London theatre of 100 years ago vividly to life. Performers, playwrights and managers, some of them legendary or notorious, and some now sadly forgotten. Edwardian actor-managers such as Henry Irving and Beerbohm Tree are remembered here, as are revered actresses like Ellen Terry and Sarah Bernhardt, and eccentric, larger-than-life theatrical characters like George Edwardes and Tom Walls. Also featured is a multitude of revealing anecdotes and facts about life on the London stage, and about famous - and sometimes failed productions that were put on at the turn of the century. The author has recorded popular theatrical myths and strong superstitions that persist even into the present day, like the tale of the kindly ghost of Arthur Bourchier which haunts Garrick Theatre.