Program from 1905 Leamy Troupe Engagement

July 1911 Blackpool Tower Program.(Courtesy of Cyril Critchlow Collection, Blackpool Central Library)
July 1911 Blackpool Tower Program.(Courtesy of Cyril Critchlow Collection, Blackpool Central Library)
July 1911 Blackpool Tower Program (Courtesy of Cyril Critchlow Collection, Blackpool Central Library)
July 1911 Blackpool Tower Program (Courtesy of Cyril Critchlow Collection, Blackpool Central Library)

I had the good fortune to open my email one morning and find the above scans in my inbox. I had sent an email to the Blackpool Central Library regarding a program contained in the Cyril Critchlow Collection. I was just hoping for a reply. Instead, I got a detailed message with ideas for future research along with the above scans of a Blackpool Tower program dated July 11. 1905, featuring an appearance of the Leamy Troupe.

This is an important program. It is likely the first appearance of Leitzel as a permanent member of the troupe. She may have joined the troupe for a brief appearance in Hamburg a year and a half earlier, but this marked her professional debut. She is credited in the program as Alice, the name by which she appeared in her early years as a professional. It is derived from her middle name Alitza. She was 14 years old. The Lillie in the program is Lydia “Lillie” Simpson.