Abertillery History

Robert Davey. Robert Davey, violinist with the famous O’Mara Opera Company left his card and a little verse on the 3rd October 1914. (More information to come).

Bertram Gates. Bertram Gates wrote a quote from Shakespeare and signed the book on the 30th September 1914. (More information to come).

Nancy Sewell. Nancy Sewell signed the book and appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery in 1914. She wrote a little adage along with “Rip Van Winkle”. More research is needed on the possibility she performed in that show. (More information to come).

Tony Barton. Tony Barton was a baritone singer and appeared in many shows, he signed the autograph book on the 16th January 1915. A regular at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery he featured in Jack & the Beanstalk with Queenie Ray and must have boarded at the Willis’s Boarding House on this occasion with the rest of the troupe.  (More information …

Will Parkin. Will Parkin was a producer of shows and he came to the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery with his latest production The “Man in the Moon” showing from the 18th January 1915 for six-nights.    (More information to come).

Queenie Ray. Queenie Ray was a child actress, dancer and comedienne, she was described as a “toe dancer” and appeared in Jack & the Beanstalk at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery in January 1915. This is the facing page in the book that Queenie Ray wrote on. The little message she wrote was “A little ink may make a million think” …

Queenie Ray. Queenie Ray was a child actress, dancer and comedienne, she was described as a “toe dancer” and appeared in Jack & the Beanstalk at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery in January 1915. Queenie Ray wrote on the page that she was “Principal girl and Premier Danseuse” – Translated to first dancer. She left her autograph and a small photograph …

W. W. S. F. G. I am really unsure as to who or what this represents. The person signed the book on February 19th 1915. More research is needed. (More information to come).

Isabel Mantle. Isabel Mantle or that is what I believe is the signature, signed the book and left a little adage but sadly didn’t date it.  (More information to come).

Muriel Jack. Muriel Jack was a very successful female orchestra conductor of the Irish Ladies Orchestra who appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery on Monday 19th April 1915. She signed the book and also left a little adage though it’s practically illegible. Miss Norah Clare vocalist and the world renowned Miss Nellie Ganthony also performed. (More information to come).