The Photographs (45 in all) were identified and scanned by D Kelly, Illuminati Creative Technology
3 Gladstone Road, Colchester
CO12EB 01206 798076All photographs and programmes are the property of
Martin Croxford,
10 Abbeygate Street
Colchester
01206 513518To whom you might apply IN ADDITION TO ILLUMINATI if you want any information or to use any of the images.
They are all of the immediately pre-war period at the Opera House, including the Thomas Beecham Season. Many show Jack Croxford, who was Chief Electrician / Engineer, who collected the photographs.
Other photographs, presumably taken during the 1939-45 war show the time that theatres were in use as dance halls, the auditorium specially adapted to add a dance floor. This was achieved by using frames from Morrison shelters and there are some unique photographs. Chewing gum became a huge problem and Jack invented a special removing tool consisting of a heated scraper which he patented. There are photographs of the device in use.
Shots of the audience include Von Ribbentrop and Lady Oxford.
NOTES TO THE PICTURES ON THE CD
Chorus.jpg
Group Photo, Opera Chorus
chorus names.jpg
Reverse of above showing names
scrape gum1.jpg
Showing Staff using the new chewing gum removal system
scrape gum 2.jpg and 3. jpg
Showing Staff using the new chewing gum removal system
Fitup.jpg
View from auditorium showing unknown production being fit-up
wardrobe ladies 1937.jpg
3 Ladies with Singer Treadle and manequinns in theatre wardrobe
Staff Cov Gar.jpg.jpg
Group Photograph
some top bods.jpg.jpg
Exterior group in coats inc Sir.T. Beecham
prodn desk.jpg
Beecham, Croxford
Audience in Foyer1.jpg
Jack Croxford.jpg
In Dinner Jacket
lamps.jpg
Artists impression: Chandeliers designed by J Croxford, Made by A Ashton
Lighting control 1937ish jpg
Magnetic clutch control panel
Dimmer Room jpg
With Mansell clutch controller and bracket handle board- with jack Croxford
Audience in Foyer2.jpg
Audience
wall lamp lyceum.jpg
Artists impression: Chandeliers designed by J Croxford, Made by A Ashton
gum cutting.jpg
Newspaper cutting
13 OH staff 37.jpg
Vignettes of staff in 1937
Patent drwg.jpg
Gum cutter patent
Cyclorama.jpg
Photograph, bad condition restored by DK2003 View from Cyc to house showing banks of cyc floods. Name Strand Electric clearly visible
Building the Lyceum dance floor1.jpg
The Lyceum Strand London Morrison Shelters used to build up the floor. Handwritten in ink, "These names have been posted: Eddy Phillip, Jean + Cyril,Mrs Stedwen, Roy and Marie, Susan and Rodney, Masie, Ian Winger, Ada and Bill, Connie, Eileen, Francis, Edie, Mavis and Jack, Ken, Mrs Gibbons, Janette" FOX PHOTOS
Interior from ILN April 19th 1847.jpg
Illustrated London news
Opening 1847 from ILN
Illustrated London news
Unknown at reception
At a reception
Ribbentrop and LadyOxford.jpg
At a reception
Standing audience.jpg
Ballroom lyceum?.jpg
Opening night season.jpg
Audience
slider dimmers, J Crox.jpg
Showing resistance dimmers with J Croxford
Beecham presentation§
STB being presented with something- by staff (?)
The collection also contains approximately 30 production photographs/ programmes as follows:
Lisa Perli
Mimi in La Boheme and Antonia in Tales of Hoffman Liverpool Empire by the Imperial League of Opera
Set of 3 production Photographs with Duplicates of two
Koanga (Delius) Oda Slobodskaya and John Brownlee
5 Production Photos
Barber of Seville
Noel Eadie
Portrait
Luella parkin
Costume Portrait as Gilda in Rigoletto at Covent Garden
Programme Cover only 2 copies
Coronation Season 1937 full colour
female Portrait
Unknown
Portrait
(signed Alicia Markova 1935)
Cover only Vic Wells ball at Lyceum§
Lyceum Feb 10th 1949. Green Engraving on Black. Torn condition
2 photos audience entering crush bar?
Covent garden
Production Photo
Backcloth of harbour scene, plus interior cloth with painted sunbeams in palace and interior with staircase. Interior with 2 mullion windows and others High gloss . All Berlin
Interior view 3 copies and detail
Ballroom with bandstand and tables (may be part of Opera House) Shows lights designed by Jon Croxford, Chief Electrician
Booth Hitchin
as Kurwenal in Tristan and Isolde
2 production Photos
Marguerite's garden in Faust designer. Stewart Chaney at T.R.Glasgow. Lisa Perli and Heddle Nash
Production Photo and duplicate
Lisa Perli and Hedle Nash in Boheme
Production Photo
Rosenkavelier Eva Adeabova and Adele Kean
Production Photo
Harold Williams and Tina De Villiers Faust
Programme 1937
Opera Season- showing Jack Croxford's prtrait
Portrait
Lisa perli
programme 1938
Rigoletto
Programme
Royal Command perf. 1935 Barber of seville
Programme cover only
Season 1937
Letter Stand Electric
Stanley earnshaw to J Crosford wishing good luck in new life
Programmes
Autumn 1938 Rigoletto , Faust, Elektra
3 Assorted views of ballroom bandstands
Various, includes Manchester Ritz
Interior view, 3 copies and detail
Ballroom with bandstand and tables (may be part of Opera House) Shows lights designed by Jon Croxford, Chief Electrician
To see these or for any queries, phone Mr M Croxford. or D. Kelly - As above .