Abertillery History

Gaby Fay. Gaby Fay was Dorothy Fay Hammerton (Born 26th September 1893 – Died 23rd June 1973). Dorothy Fay Hammerton was professionally known as Fay Holden, a British born American based actress. She was known as Gaby Fay in her early career. Born in Birmingham, England Gaby Fay later travelled and performed in many theatres during her early career. In …

Patricia Ray? Patrica Ray? appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery in the A. E. Smiths Bo Peep Co in February 1914. She signed the book with a little adage and stating she was 3rd girl in the production. (More information to come).

Doris Snowdon. Doris Snowdon appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery in the A. E. Smiths Bo Peeps Co as 2nd boy. Doris was a part of a duo with Rene Snowdon and were dancers. Sadly the autographs were not dated. The report (as seen above) is from the Runcorn Guardian dated 21st July 1914. (More information to come).

Rene Snowdon. Rene Snowdon appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery in the A. E. Smiths Bo Peep Co in February 1914. Doris was a part of a duo with Rene Snowdon and were dancers. Sadly the autographs were not dated. The report (as seen above) is from the Runcorn Guardian dated 21st July 1914. Rene Snowdon signed the book with …

The Clancy Girls. The Clancy Girls were Mamie and Elsie Clancy, advertised as being clever duettists and acrobatic dancers. They appeared at the Metropole, Abertillery on 1st January 1914. I believe they also appeared at the theatre again in February 1914. (More information to come).

Bessie Osborne. Bessie Osborne appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery, she featured in the production of “Life for a Life” with Olive Melba and it seems with Madge Trevelyan who were all at the boarding house together on the same dates.  Bessie Osborne (as seen left) was a native of Liverpool, her father was Charles Osborne and her mother was …

Olive Melba. Olive Melba was a child actress who began her career at just 7 years of age.  In 1914 she appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery in the production of “Life for a Life”. She was known as “Little Olive” in the early days, she signed Mrs Willis’s book and wrote a little saying with drawings of faces. She …

Madge Trevelyan. Madge Trevelyan was an accomplished actress, she appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery on the 8th March 1914.  It seems Madge Trevelyan appeared in the same show as Bessie Osborn and Olive Melba who were all at the boarding house together on the same dates.  Madge Trevelyan was a native of Kirkham, Lancashire the daughter of a farmer. …

Billy Wilson. Billy Wilson appeared at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery and left a little adage and his signature on the 8th May 1914. (More information to come).

Unknown. An undecipherable signature left in the book by someone who appeared in the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery, they signed the book and left a little quote on the 19th September 1914. They were in the same company as Janet Hodson who appeared on the same date. (More information to come).