I grew up hearing that my maternal grandmother was a cousin of the famous
Edwardian actress Constance Collier.
Naturally, I had my doubts ... long before I knew precisely who Miss
Collier was. It seemed too improbable that our family might actually have
famous persons nesting in its branches! But the family stories were
true. My maternal great grandfather (a Royal Marine) was first cousin to
the larger-than-life thespian.
Constance Collier's career is sufficiently documented elsewhere. Her first
appearance on the stage was at the age of three, when she played the Fairy
Peasblossom in "A Midsummer's Night's Dream". In 1901 she was engaged by
Beerbohm Tree and appeared at His Majesty's Theatre for nearly six years,
playing the female lead in a number of productions. She was married in
1905 to actor Julian BOYLE (whose stage name was Julian L'Estrange);
he died in 1918. In 1908 Miss Collier made her debut on the American
stage--at the Garrick Theatre in New York. Her film career commenced
in 1915, and she also produced several plays and was dramatic coach to
actresses such as Katharine Hepburn, Gene Tierney, Jennifer Jones, and
Marilyn Monroe.
Constance Collier, as Cleopatra (1907)
Miss Collier (1878-1955) was born Laura Constance HARDIE, the only child of
Eliza Georgina COLLIER (1854-1914) and Auguste Cheetham HARDIE (1853-1939).
While Eliza came from a long line of theatrical types, Cheet broke away
from his wealthy merchant family to 'tread the boards'. He was billed as
A.C. Hardie in the 1870s-90s, before
alcohol impaired whatever talent he possessed. According to J.P. Wearing's
The London Stage 1890-1899, he appeared in just three plays in those
nine years (his wife acted in just two). However, I learned of a program
for The Whip, performed in 1909-10 at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - and
A. C. Hardie is on the stage!
A.C. Hardie
Auguste's older brother Archibald Alfred HARDIE (1848-1920) also
took up acting for a while but I've yet to research his brief career.
When he married, in 1883, he described himself as a 'gentleman' so it's
likely he had given up the stage by then. Or was he simply out of work?
Arch Hardie
I was (I think, understandably) astonished to learn that my paternal grandmother's
family was also involved in the theatre. Her beloved mother Nell
TAYLOR (Mrs Frederick POPE) had performed, in her youth, with the
Carl Rosa Opera company. And my father's
twin cousins, Joan and Peggy EVERSHED, danced with a London troupe
called Terry's Juveniles. Their joint,
pre-WWII career included Christmas pantomimes as well as summer shows on
Blackpool's North Pier. A third member of my father's family, Philip
Alexander WILLIAMSON (1922-1989, s. Mary HAMLYN and Alexander WILLIAMSON),
began studying dance at an early age and was enrolled at The Italia Conti
Academy of Theatre Arts. During his pre-WWII career, he used the stage
name Sandy Williamson.
A visit to the Theatre Museum in London turned up a file on the Carl Rosa
Opera, with a photocopy of a handwritten history and numerous clippings.
There were mentions of individual performers but no cast lists of any
productions. Should anyone have information on the Carl Rosa Opera, or
on Terry's Juveniles, I would be most interested in hearing about it.
These two photographs of Nell Taylor (did she have a stage name?) are
undated. They were probably taken before the summer of 1895, when Nell
married. I've no clue as to the roles she is, presumably, dressed for.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
There are an increasing number of Internet sites related to the theatre
and its history. A few of my favourites are:
Please contact the site owner with comments or questions:
Page content last modified Sunday, 2 November 2008