Sometimes a photograph is so good, so redolent of an era, that you will stretch any Sepia Saturday theme to an inch off breaking point in order to feature it. The theme this week features a man playing a piano. A piano provides entertainment and entertainment means a chapel amateur dramatic group or a concert party. And here we have the cast of such a production from eighty or so years ago. I am not sure which chapel or church it was, but it will have been in Great Horton, Bradford. That is my grandfather, Enoch, second from the right on the back row, who - somewhat worryingly - is dressed as a washerwoman. And that, as all keen Sepians will immediately realise, is the one and only Auntie Miriam sat dead centre of the front row.
There was a pencilled note fastened to the back of the photograph which identifies one or two more of the participants. The names must come from my father, I seem to recall writing them down under his instructions. I think that Rubin Hudson was the father of Jack Hudson and that they kept the fish and chip shop in Townend, Great Horton. I am not sure about the others, but my guess would be that the photograph was taken in the 1930s. According to the records there was a Foulger family living in the area at the time and I am sure there were Booths and Thomas's as well.
Whenever it took place and wherever it took place, it looks like a grand production; the very epitome of entertainment. If you can't make it out to see a concert party this evening, you could do worse that take a tour to the Sepia Saturday Blog in order to get some fine entertainment.
A fabulous troupe of actors. A precious photo to have.
ReplyDeleteWasher woman? I thought he was a pirate. Oh well, I'll take the costume of the girl seated second from the right OR in a pinch the costume of the girl seated third from the left. I'm sure the production must have been a comedy although I can't imagine the plot.
ReplyDeleteEnoch - good, strong, biblical name. Makes one wonder where Brian, Mavis, Vera and the ilk came from. Was there a St Brian or a biblical Mavis?
ReplyDeleteGreat photo! I wish I had more names on the backs of photos from my parents' time/
ReplyDeleteI love the setting. Have you looked closely at the window with the stained glass shields? I wonder where this was?
ReplyDeleteSorry - I work with architecture and always look at the building before the people.
I think that's a painted backdrop but I might be wrong
DeleteI think you're right. But nice detailing.
DeleteI wish all photos had the names on the back! My mom's family was pretty good about labeling their snapshots from the earlier years of this century, but not all the time.
ReplyDeleteA great photo and how wonderful that someone had thought to write the names on the reverse.
ReplyDeleteYes, nice to have all the names, but too bad someone hadn't thought to write down the title of the production too, as well as when & where it was performed. Not so many people back then, thought about future generations looking at the pictures and wondering about them, I think. Not like we do today, anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe homemade costumes are terrific. Washerwoman or maybe Fishwife? I'd guess Auntie Miriam was in the garb of a Gypsy fortuneteller. It has the look of a Panto show, but I wish we could know the songs and the jokes.
ReplyDeleteLots of hats. I particularly like the woman in the middle with the tall feathers in her cap. Rather distinguished I'd say.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun for everyone!
ReplyDeleteThey're a pretty serious group entertainers. Interesting story and interesting speculation.
ReplyDeleteYay for you Alan having a troupe to show us. Excellent pose from the thespians.
ReplyDeleteWho needs Rock Hudson, when you've got Rubin Hudson to hand?
ReplyDeleteFabulous - a glimpse into another, perhaps simpler, world.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that nobody has mentioned the famous singer whose name appears on the theme photo. Same photo is on a youtube video here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlE7fkWLUdc
That Auntie Miriam! She's irrepressible.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. No one is looking particularly happy about posing, but I suppose smiling when you were have your picture taken wasn't the done thing back then.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same as some other commenters - they don't look all that happy despite the fun nature of the costumes!
ReplyDeleteI can understand your enthusiastic desire to feature this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a group!!!