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.