19th Century Theatre

[Penmaiden]

I am trying to find out more about the career of three sisters who all worked as actresses in London: Ada Maud Mary Whittall (b.1858), Florence Eugenie Whittall (b.1861) and Emily Edith Whittall (b.1868). Their father (Thomas Mellon Whittall) seems to have also been involved behind the scenes in the theatre.

Ada married a stage and screen actor named Samuel Autey Cookson in 1899. Florence moved to Manchester and married a man named George Pollock Anderson in 1885 who doesn't seem to have been involved with the theatre, and Emily married a theatre agent named Victor Lyon Samuel (known professionally as Leon Victor) in 1893.

I believe they probably worked under stage names, but I'm not sure if there is a way of finding that out. I only know that Emily's was Emily Ward from a newspaper clipping of her marriage.

[ShaunJ]

The announcement in The Era for Ada's marriage to S A Cookson names her as Ada Mellon (no mention of Whittall)

[ShaunJ]

Apparently Ada was a grand-niece of Alfred Mellon.

[Penmaiden]

The announcement in The Era for Ada's marriage to S A Cookson names her as Ada Mellon (no mention of Whittall)

You are right, and there is even a portrait of her under that name.

[wilcoxon]

Marriages Dec 1856   
 Gill . Eloise Adelaide  Headington 3a881  
Whittall . Thomas Mellon  Headington 3a881 

Mother had a grand name.



 

[Ashtone]

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News
24 February 1883

[Ashtone]

Quite a few snippets for the Mellon sisters in various productions. Here's an example:

Weekly Dispatch (London)
10 May 1874

[Penmaiden]

There's quite a lot for Ada but not much for Florence. Perhaps Ada was the more successful actress.