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Roles Collection

Background imageRoles Collection: The Favourite Wins by H. M. Bateman

The Favourite Wins by H. M. Bateman
Humorous illustration by H.M. Bateman showing a reversal of roles. A group of jockeys in different coloured silks sprint for the finishing post while excitable horses in the stands cheer on the winner

Background imageRoles Collection: Errol Flynn / Warner

Errol Flynn / Warner
ERROL FLYNN Irish-American film actor, best known for his swashbuckling roles

Background imageRoles Collection: Fulton Mackay and Sprocket, filming in Cornwall

Fulton Mackay and Sprocket, filming in Cornwall
The actor Fulton Mackay (1922-1987) and Sprocket, filming the TV series Fraggle Rock at St Anthonys Lighthouse near Falmouth, Cornwall

Background imageRoles Collection: Cover for Brochure advertising Triplex Grates / Ranges

Cover for Brochure advertising Triplex Grates / Ranges
A cook proudly produces a loaf - another successful piece of cooking using her Triplex Garte / Range. Date: circa 1927

Background imageRoles Collection: Patons knitting wools advertisement, WW1 comforts

Patons knitting wools advertisement, WW1 comforts
Advertisement for Patons Alloa knitting wools during the First World War featuring a Red Cross nurse busy knitting and the words, Every Woman Can Help. Date: c.1915

Background imageRoles Collection: ADELINA PATTI 1843-1919

ADELINA PATTI 1843-1919
ADELINA PATTI American operatic soprano born in Madrid of Italian parentage. Sang roles in operas of Bellini, Rossini and Gounod

Background imageRoles Collection: William Kemp, Dancer

William Kemp, Dancer
WILLIAM KEMP(E) English actor and dancer in comic roles. Famous for jigs and for morris dancing from London to Norwich

Background imageRoles Collection: Advertisement for the Western Electric vacuum cleaner with a women patiently cleaning

Advertisement for the Western Electric vacuum cleaner with a women patiently cleaning the carpet around her snoozing husband. Lets hope that cigarette falls into his lap and wakes him up. Date: c.1924

Background imageRoles Collection: Mary Casson - Sir Gerald du Maurier in Barries Dear Brutus

Mary Casson - Sir Gerald du Maurier in Barries Dear Brutus
J. M. Barries fantasy, Dear Brutus - 1929 performance - Mary Casson (1914-2009) in the role of Margaret, about to have her portrait painted by Sir Gerald du Maurier (1873-1934)

Background imageRoles Collection: Dan Leno as Mrs. Twankey 1897

Dan Leno as Mrs. Twankey 1897
Dan Leno (1860 1904), as Mrs.Twankey in Aladdin at Drury Lane Theatre, London. Leading English music hall comedian and musical theatre actor during the late Victorian era. Date: 1897

Background imageRoles Collection: Mrs A. E. Grant (Bettine Stuart-Wortley) as a nurse, WW1

Mrs A. E. Grant (Bettine Stuart-Wortley) as a nurse, WW1
Mrs A. E. Grant, the former Bettine Stuart-Wortley, pictured around the time of her marriage in nursing uniform as she was doing war work at a hospital in Cavendish Square, London

Background imageRoles Collection: Alice Joyce Actress

Alice Joyce Actress
Alice Joyce (1890 - 1955) American actress, best known for her silent films between (1923 - 1930). 1926

Background imageRoles Collection: Brochure advertising Triplex Grates / Ranges

Brochure advertising Triplex Grates / Ranges
A cook proudly produces a loaf - another successful piece of cooking using her Triplex Garte / Range. Home made with Triplex! Date: circa 1920s

Background imageRoles Collection: Caricature of Nellie Farren and Edward Ledger

Caricature of Nellie Farren and Edward Ledger
Caricature of Nellie Farren (1848-1904), English actress and singer, and Edward Ledger (18??-1921), editor of The Era theatrical newspaper

Background imageRoles Collection: Lloyd Georges Munition Girls

Lloyd Georges Munition Girls
Front cover of a book describing womens experiences in a munitions factory during the First World War with a detailed account by an anonymous female shell-maker

Background imageRoles Collection: Lady Constance Stewart-Richardson, WW1

Lady Constance Stewart-Richardson, WW1
Lady Constance Stewart-Richardson (1883-1932), daughter of the 2nd Earl of Cromartie, society figure, danced and promoter of the healthy benefits of exercise

Background imageRoles Collection: Lady Londonderry, WW1

Lady Londonderry, WW1
Edith Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Marchioness of Londonderry DBE (3 December 1878 23 April 1959), noted society hostess, and, during the First World War director of the Womens Legion

Background imageRoles Collection: Frances Kelly Actress

Frances Kelly Actress
Frances " Fanny" Kelly, immensely talented and popular Irish actress, appeared mostly at Drury Lane for 36 years with undiminished acclaim, renowned for comedy roles

Background imageRoles Collection: Ladies of the Land - Society Workers on a model farm, WW1

Ladies of the Land - Society Workers on a model farm, WW1
A model farm at West Malvern where girls of the higher social classes are trained in the practical work and theory of dairying, including cheese-making, poultry culture, goat-keeping, and so

Background imageRoles Collection: Women as electricians WWI

Women as electricians WWI
Women in London electric station. During World War One there seemed to be no limit to the number of civilian occupations that women showed themselves cabable of replacing men

Background imageRoles Collection: Conservative Ladies

Conservative Ladies
A Meeting of Primrose Dames - leading conservative ladies in Lady Salisburys drawing room. Few if any of them favour the emancipation of woman

Background imageRoles Collection: Charles Glenney, Actor

Charles Glenney, Actor
CHARLES GLENNEY actor who is reported as playing many roles about this time : here he is as Don John in Shakespeares Much ado about nothing 1883

Background imageRoles Collection: Grumman US-2C Tracker 133360

Grumman US-2C Tracker 133360
United States Navy - Grumman US-2C Tracker 133360 (msn N-32), of VU-7. The sixty S2F-2 (S-2C) Trackers were built to carry the MK-90 nuclear depth charge in an enlarged weapon bay

Background imageRoles Collection: North American T-28D Nomad 51-7665

North American T-28D Nomad 51-7665
United States Air Force - North American T-28D Nomad 51-7665 (MSN 174-518), one of 321 T-28As converted with underwing pylons and other equipment for Counter-Insurgency roles. Date: circa 1963

Background imageRoles Collection: Anti-suffrage satirical postcard - Leap Year Goods

Anti-suffrage satirical postcard - Leap Year Goods - " Will wear well". A woman in full tweed suit of jacket and plus fours standing with her motorbike. 1908

Background imageRoles Collection: Six Actresses in Traditional Country Girl attire - all looking like early 19th century

Six Actresses in Traditional Country Girl attire - all looking like early 19th century milkmaids! Date: circa 1910s

Background imageRoles Collection: WW2 Scouts And Guides

WW2 Scouts And Guides
This illustration portrays a British WW2 boy scout and girl guide, these young people helped Britain in the war effort performing roles including hospital assistance, making ration bags

Background imageRoles Collection: Dacia

Dacia
A portrait sketch of Jamaica born actress, Dacia Deane, 1899-1989, known for playing roles in movies including Love, Life and Laughter, (1923) and Easy Virtue (1928). Date: 1921

Background imageRoles Collection: Mr Edward Terry, actor, in three of his theatrical roles

Mr Edward Terry, actor, in three of his theatrical roles
Mr Edward Terry, actor, (10 March 1844 ?? 2 April 1912) photographed in three theatrical roles; two as Dick Phenyl, in Sweet Lavender, one as Mr Egerton-Bompas, in The Times, by Arthur Wing Pinero

Background imageRoles Collection: June Tripp and Violet Loraine

June Tripp and Violet Loraine
June Tripp (1901-1985), sometimes known just by her stage name June, and Violet Loraine (1886-1956) appearing in the revue show Fanfare at the Prince Edward Theatre. Date: 1932

Background imageRoles Collection: Musical Comedy Out of the Bottle

Musical Comedy Out of the Bottle
Scenes from the musical comedy Out of the Bottle at the Hippodrome, including actors Clifford Mollison (1897-1986) and Arthur Riscoe (1896-1954) swigging from their hot water bottles. Date: 1932

Background imageRoles Collection: Gordon Harker

Gordon Harker
Actor Gordon Harker (1885-1967) had a prolific film and stage career. Here he is being celebrated for his portrayal of Cockney characters. Date: circa 1932

Background imageRoles Collection: Betty Stockfeld

Betty Stockfeld
Australian actress Betty Stockfeld (1905-1966), mostly known for her film work, but here appearing in a theatrical production of A Cold June at the Duchess Theatre. Date: 1932

Background imageRoles Collection: Tilly Losch

Tilly Losch (1903-1975), also known as Ottilie Herbert, and later Countess of Carnarvon, was an Austrian dancer, actress and painter

Background imageRoles Collection: Scene from The Merchant of Venice

Scene from The Merchant of Venice
Ernest Milton (1890-1974) as Shylock and Lydia Sherwood (1906-1989) as Jessica, in a production of The Merchant of Venice at the St James's Theatre. Date: 1932

Background imageRoles Collection: Tallulah Bankhead in Thunder Below

Tallulah Bankhead in Thunder Below
Actress Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968) appearing in the film Thunder Below with Charles Bickford (1891-1967) and Paul Lukas (1894-1971). Date: circa 1932

Background imageRoles Collection: Ivor Novello in I Lived With You

Ivor Novello in I Lived With You
Ivor Novello (1893-1951) wrote and starred in this stage production of I Lived With You, which was later made into a film

Background imageRoles Collection: Greta Garbo in Mata Hari

Greta Garbo in Mata Hari
Greta Garbo (1905-1990) playing the title role in the 1931 film Mata Hari'. Date: 1931

Background imageRoles Collection: Production of Othello

Production of Othello
Actor Ernest Milton (1890-1974) played the title role in this production of Othello at the St James's Theatre. Also pictured are Nicholas Hannen (1881-1972) as Cassio and Henry Oscar (1891-1969)

Background imageRoles Collection: Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hulbert

Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hulbert
Cicely Courtneidge (1893-1980) and her husband Jack Hulbert (1892-1978) appearing in their latest film Jack's The Boy'. Date: 1932

Background imageRoles Collection: Elena Miramova

Elena Miramova (1901-1992) was a Russian actress who went on to become a playwright. Here she is appearing in a production of Grand Hotel at the Adelphi Theatre. Date: 1931

Background imageRoles Collection: Louise Hampton in Late Night Final

Louise Hampton in Late Night Final
British actress Louise Hampton (1881-1954) in a publicity photograph for the play Late Night Final at the Phoenix Theatre. Date: 1931

Background imageRoles Collection: Sydney Fairbrother and George Robey

Sydney Fairbrother and George Robey
Character actors Sydney Fairbrother (1873-1941) and George Robey, also known as George Wade (1869-1954) playing Mrs and Mr Bindle

Background imageRoles Collection: D. A. Clarke-Smith

D. A. Clarke-Smith
British actor D. A. Clarke-Smith (1888-1959) appearing in a variety of guises in the play Queer Fish at the Apollo Theatre. Date: 1931

Background imageRoles Collection: Jane Baxter

Jane Baxter
British actress Jane Baxter (1909-1996) appearing in a nautical production The Midshipman at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Date: 1931

Background imageRoles Collection: Cedric Hardwicke in Role

Cedric Hardwicke in Role
A portrait of the actor Cedric Hardwicke (1893-1964) playing the role of Edward Moulton-Barrett in the play The Barretts of Wimpole Street'

Background imageRoles Collection: Frances Dee

Frances Dee
American actress Frances Dee (1909-2004) had a film career spanning from the 1930s to the 1950s. Date: circa 1931

Background imageRoles Collection: Screen Lovers

Screen Lovers
Matheson Lang (1879-1948) and Dorothy Chili Bouchier (1909-1999) appearing in the 1931 film Carnival'. This was a re-make of a film from 1921 of the same name, in which Lang had also starred

Background imageRoles Collection: Mae Murray

Mae Murray (1885-1965) the American actress, dancer, film producer and screenwriter, born Marie Koenig. Here she is appearing in the silent film Circe The Enchantress'. Date: circa 1925

Background imageRoles Collection: Ivy Tresmand and Gene Gerrard

Ivy Tresmand and Gene Gerrard
Ivy Tresmand (1898-1980) and Gene Gerrard (1892-1971), appearing in a production of the musical comedy Katja the Dancer at the Gaiety Theatre in London's West End. Date: 1925

Background imageRoles Collection: Horace Hodges in Lightnin

Horace Hodges in Lightnin
Actor Horace Hodges (1863-1951) performing in the play Lightnin at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. Date: 1925

Background imageRoles Collection: John Barrymore and Fay Compton

John Barrymore and Fay Compton
Actors John Barrymore (1882-1942) and Fay Compton (1894-1978) in their roles as Hamlet and Ophelia for a production soon to open at the Haymarket Theatre in London. Date: 1925

Background imageRoles Collection: Laura Cowie in Yoicks!

Laura Cowie in Yoicks!
Laura Cowie (1892-1969) was a Scottish stage and silent film actress. Here she is portraying Lucrezia Borgia in the revue show Yoicks! at the Kingsway Theatre. Date: circa 1925

Background imageRoles Collection: Mother Goose Pantomime

Mother Goose Pantomime
A production of Mother Goose at the London Hippodrome, featuring Shaun Glenville (1884-1968) as Mother Goose, Isobel Elsom (1893-1981) as the daughter, and Fred Conquest

Background imageRoles Collection: Mildred Harris in The Deceivers

Mildred Harris in The Deceivers
Actress Mildred Harris (1901-1944) started as a child actress, had a succesful career in silent movies, but struggled with the advent of talkies'. She was also the first wife of Charlie Chaplin

Background imageRoles Collection: Miss Isabel Jeans

Miss Isabel Jeans
A painting of English stage and film actress, Miss Isabel Jeans, wearing a pink dress. She went on to play major roles in two Alfred Hitchcock silent films, Downhill (1927) and Easy Virtue (1928)

Background imageRoles Collection: War work for women

War work for women
Miss Kay Charles, member of the Mechanised Transport Training Corps, who are on the look out for more female motor cyclists

Background imageRoles Collection: Ginger Rogers and David Niven

Ginger Rogers and David Niven
Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) and David Niven (1910-1983) in publicity for the film Bachelor Mother'. Date: 1939

Background imageRoles Collection: Ann Sheridan in Winter Carnival

Ann Sheridan in Winter Carnival
American actress Ann Sheridan (1915-1967), real name Clara Lou Sheridan, here appearing in the film Winter Carnival'. Date: 1939

Background imageRoles Collection: Maurice Chevalier and Marie Dea

Maurice Chevalier and Marie Dea
Actors Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) and Marie Dea (1912-1992) appearing in the film Pieges ('Personal Column'). Date: 1939

Background imageRoles Collection: Peggy Ashcroft and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

Peggy Ashcroft and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies
Peggy Ashcroft (1907-1991) appearing as Cecily Cardew and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies (1891-1992) as Gwendolyn Fairfax, in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Globe Theatre. Date: 1939

Background imageRoles Collection: Ram Gopal and Maya Rani

Ram Gopal and Maya Rani
Indian dancers Ram Gopal (1912-2003) and Maya Rani, promoting performances at the Aldwych Theatre in London. Date: circa 1939

Background imageRoles Collection: Actor Conrad Veidt

Actor Conrad Veidt
German actor Conrad Veidt, shortly to appear as Diasar the Magician in the film The Thief of Baghdad'. Date: circa 1939

Background imageRoles Collection: Annie Vernay and Jean Paqui in Les Otages

Annie Vernay and Jean Paqui in Les Otages
Actors Annie Vernay (1921-1941) and Jean Paqui (1921-2006) in a still from the French film Les Otages ('The Hostages')

Background imageRoles Collection: Fred Terry and his daughter Phillida Terson

Fred Terry and his daughter Phillida Terson
Fred Terry (1863-1933) was an English actor and theatrical manager. Here he is seen with his daughter Phyllis Neilson-Terry (1892-1977) who was then performing under the name of Phillida Terson

Background imageRoles Collection: Sir Herbert Tree and Miss Evelyn Millard

Sir Herbert Tree and Miss Evelyn Millard
Sir Herbert Tree (1852-1917) as Mark Antony and Miss Evelyn Millard (1869-1941) as Portia, in publicity for a production of Julius Caesar at His Majesty's Theatre in London. Date: 1910

Background imageRoles Collection: Photographs of women at work, in traditionally male roles. With heading, Where Woman Wants To

Photographs of women at work, in traditionally male roles. With heading, Where Woman Wants To, She Can! The photographs captioned, Paris: Lady Billsticker, Leipsic: Girl Messenger

Background imageRoles Collection: Alec Guinness (1914 - 2000) portraying G. K. Chesterton's sleuth Father Brown in the 1954 film of

Alec Guinness (1914 - 2000) portraying G. K. Chesterton's sleuth Father Brown in the 1954 film of the same name. In the United States the film was marketed under the title "The

Background imageRoles Collection: Miss M. N. Fraser, Scottish golf captain, WW1

Miss M. N. Fraser, Scottish golf captain, WW1
Miss Madge Neil Fraser, a distinguished Scottish lady golfer and International Captain, who died while nursing in Serbia in 1915. Date: 1915

Background imageRoles Collection: GARRICK

GARRICK
DAVID GARRICK (1717 - 1779), English actor, famous for his Shakespearean roles, a few months before his death

Background imageRoles Collection: Advert postcard for Theatre Sarah Bernhardt. Paris

Advert postcard for Theatre Sarah Bernhardt. Paris
French advertising postcard for the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt. In 1899 the Theatre de la Ville in Paris was renamed Theatre Sarah-Bernhardt after the renowned actress Sarah Bernhardt

Background imageRoles Collection: Fred Storey, actor, in three different theatrical roles

Fred Storey, actor, in three different theatrical roles Date: 1890s

Background imageRoles Collection: Augustus Harriss pantomime, Babes in the Wood, Drury Lane, London

Augustus Harriss pantomime, Babes in the Wood, Drury Lane, London. Date: late 19th century

Background imageRoles Collection: Red Riding Hood and Little Boy Blue, grand Christmas pantomime by W Younge

Red Riding Hood and Little Boy Blue, grand Christmas pantomime by W Younge, directed by E F Edgar, at the Imperial Theatre, Westminster, London, under the management of Marie Litton. Date: circa 1880s

Background imageRoles Collection: A Ring of Iron, a melodrama by Frank Harvey, the Beatrice Company

A Ring of Iron, a melodrama by Frank Harvey, the Beatrice Company. Date: late 19th century

Background imageRoles Collection: Dolls of Miss Cawse in the roles of Fatima and Cestra

Dolls of Miss Cawse in the roles of Fatima and Cestra
Dolls of Miss Cawse in the roles of Fatima, Lady Brighton, and Cestra Countess Regal in the comic opera Azor and Zemira dressed by young Princess Victoria

Background imageRoles Collection: Dick Whittington at the London Hippodrome, 1903

Dick Whittington at the London Hippodrome, 1903
Dick Whittington at the London Hippodrome in 1903. Top left, Dick and his sweetheart played by Ruth Lytton and Fanny Dango. Top right, Dick with his cat (played by Mr Fred Farren Jnr)

Background imageRoles Collection: Hypothetical female smoking party, May 1894

Hypothetical female smoking party, May 1894
Illustration of an all-female smoking party, captioned " what we are coming to: a ladies smoking party", in reference to the changing social standards for women in Britain. 1894

Background imageRoles Collection: Entirely female army, September 1897

Entirely female army, September 1897
Hypothetical depiction of " the next great war", showing an army made up entirely of female soldiers riflemen and artillery, one of which lies dead on the grass

Background imageRoles Collection: First womens village council in Findon, Sussex, May 1918

First womens village council in Findon, Sussex, May 1918
Photograph of the first womens village council in Findon, Sussex, established in 1917. The accompanying article describes the origins of the council in the innate female concern for domestic affairs

Background imageRoles Collection: Female royal flying corps driver 1918

Female royal flying corps driver 1918
Female royal flying corps driver from a painting by Harrington Mann. Date: 1918

Background imageRoles Collection: Women working at a South London gas works 1918

Women working at a South London gas works 1918
Women working at the South Metropolitan Gas Works, London. The Sphere elaborates on the pioneering work of the engineer of these gas works in successfully replacing male workers with women

Background imageRoles Collection: Cartoon, One Charles to Another Charles

Cartoon, One Charles to Another Charles - We can t give you a cat every year! Charles Lauri (left) was a pantomime performer who specialised in animal roles

Background imageRoles Collection: Women queuing with their dogs for RSPCA advice, Sept 1939

Women queuing with their dogs for RSPCA advice, Sept 1939
A group of women queuing with their dogs for advice on pet safety from two RSPCA doctors. The Sphere informs the reader of clinics in London established by the RSPCA to offer information with regards



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