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Actions Help FAQs Can't find what you're looking for? Browse Collections A-Z University of London	Edwardian album containing original theatre programmes compiled by Mary Dorothy Nutcombe Gould Remove from selection Add to selection Request this item TitleEdwardian album containing original theatre programmes compiled by Mary Dorothy Nutcombe Gould Held atSenate House Library, University of London Reference codeMS1275 Date1903-1909 Creator Gould, Mary Dorothy Nutcombe (1886-1934) Edwardian theatre-goerMore Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator Dorothy Nutcombe Gould (1886-1934) was born Mary Dorothy Nutcombe Gould. She was the fourth of five children, all girls, born to a theatrical family in London. Her father, James Nutcombe Gould (1849-1899) started his professional life as a bank clerk before marrying and becoming an actor. The fact that Dorothy and her siblings were able to travel and to attend the theatre after their parents’ deaths indicates prosperity. Dorothy was presumably close to (Katharine) Winifred (1884-1960), the sister immediately above her, for Winifred was Dorothy’s most frequent theatre companion. We know nothing else certain of Dorothy, however, except that in April 1912, aged 26, she married Armand Temple Powlett, that between 1913 and 1920 she bore him four daughters, and that she died in Godminster Wood, Bruton, Somerset, in 1934, aged 48. Scope and ContentAlbum of 25 theatre programmes, 1903-1908, together with some press clippings and a transcription of ‘The Romance of Britomarte’, from Adam Lindsay Gordon’s Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes (1870). The compilation is a memorial of visits to the theatre made by Dorothy Nutcombe Gould (1886-1934) with one or another of her sisters and sometimes in larger parties. Each programme is annotated with the names of the people going to it and the date of the visit. Most of the performances were in West End London theatres, particularly the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, but also the Criterion Theatre, the Playhouse, the Royal Court Theatre, the Savoy, the Lyric Theatre, the Royal Adelphi, and His Majesty’s Theatre. Plays seen by Gould extend from the early modern period (Shakespeare) to the newly written, including Shakespeare’s Henry V at the Imperial Theatre [London], Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado at the Savoy Theatre, London (1908), The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham (1905); J.M. Barrie’s Pantaloon at the Theatre Royal, Leamington, and Peter Pan, at the Prince’s Theatre, Manchester (1907) and the Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham (1907). Of political significance is Elizabeth Robins’s 1907 play Votes for Women, directed by Harley Granville-Barker, at the Royal Court Theatre (1907). Outside London Dorothy saw a farewell visit of Henry Irving and his company at Exeter’s Theatre Royal, as well as plays at the Theatre Royal, Leamington, and the Prince’s Theatre in Manchester. Conditions governing accessOpen for research although 24 hours notice should be given. Extent1 volume Physical description1 hardbound book volume. Level of descriptionfonds

TitleEdwardian album containing original theatre programmes compiled by Mary Dorothy Nutcombe Gould

Held atSenate House Library, University of London

Reference codeMS1275

Date1903-1909

Creator
- Gould, Mary Dorothy Nutcombe (1886-1934) Edwardian theatre-goerMore Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator
  Dorothy Nutcombe Gould (1886-1934) was born Mary Dorothy Nutcombe Gould. She was the fourth of five children, all girls, born to a theatrical family in London. Her father, James Nutcombe Gould (1849-1899) started his professional life as a bank clerk before marrying and becoming an actor. The fact that Dorothy and her siblings were able to travel and to attend the theatre after their parents’ deaths indicates prosperity. Dorothy was presumably close to (Katharine) Winifred (1884-1960), the sister immediately above her, for Winifred was Dorothy’s most frequent theatre companion. We know nothing else certain of Dorothy, however, except that in April 1912, aged 26, she married Armand Temple Powlett, that between 1913 and 1920 she bore him four daughters, and that she died in Godminster Wood, Bruton, Somerset, in 1934, aged 48.

Scope and ContentAlbum of 25 theatre programmes, 1903-1908, together with some press clippings and a transcription of ‘The Romance of Britomarte’, from Adam Lindsay Gordon’s Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes (1870). The compilation is a memorial of visits to the theatre made by Dorothy Nutcombe Gould (1886-1934) with one or another of her sisters and sometimes in larger parties. Each programme is annotated with the names of the people going to it and the date of the visit. Most of the performances were in West End London theatres, particularly the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, but also the Criterion Theatre, the Playhouse, the Royal Court Theatre, the Savoy, the Lyric Theatre, the Royal Adelphi, and His Majesty’s Theatre. Plays seen by Gould extend from the early modern period (Shakespeare) to the newly written, including Shakespeare’s Henry V at the Imperial Theatre [London], Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado at the Savoy Theatre, London (1908), The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham (1905); J.M. Barrie’s Pantaloon at the Theatre Royal, Leamington, and Peter Pan, at the Prince’s Theatre, Manchester (1907) and the Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham (1907). Of political significance is Elizabeth Robins’s 1907 play Votes for Women, directed by Harley Granville-Barker, at the Royal Court Theatre (1907). Outside London Dorothy saw a farewell visit of Henry Irving and his company at Exeter’s Theatre Royal, as well as plays at the Theatre Royal, Leamington, and the Prince’s Theatre in Manchester.

Conditions governing accessOpen for research although 24 hours notice should be given.

Extent1 volume

Physical description1 hardbound book volume.

Level of descriptionfonds

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Expected return date
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