Frances Maria Kelly, Charles Dickens, and Miss Kelly's Theatre and Dramatic School

Miss Kelly has embarked a considerable capital in the purchase of property, and in erecting a small but commodious theatre, attached to her own residence, in which talent may be cultivated and practical knowledge advanced, by Courses of Lectures, daily readings, and stage studies. [. . .] [...]far M...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dickensian 2018-12, Vol.114 (506), p.278
Main Author: Hanna, Robert C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actors
Amateurs
British & Irish literature
Capital expenditures
Dickens, Charles (1812-1870)
Dramatic readings
Dramatists
English literature
Kelly, Fanny
Schools
Theater
Theater studies
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Summary:Miss Kelly has embarked a considerable capital in the purchase of property, and in erecting a small but commodious theatre, attached to her own residence, in which talent may be cultivated and practical knowledge advanced, by Courses of Lectures, daily readings, and stage studies. [. . .] [...]far Miss Kelly has, by her own unaided exertion, and with no other funds than the thrifty savings of her professional life,28 surmounted every difficulty, and prepared for the public operation of her Plans; and willing to abide the test of an honest intention and earnest activity, ventures once again before the Public as an humble, but faithful, labourer in the Dramatic Art, with those who would recall the stage from a state of degradation to all its intellectual and moral usefulness.29 Apparently, the earliest announcement of the completion of the theatre's building itself was published on 21 March 1836. [...]the committee withdrew from and cancelled the benefit by tactfully announcing its postponement.92 Apparently Dickens's active involvement on behalf of Miss Kelly ended with the cancellation of her benefit. [...]the distinction of being 'the first such institution to offer acting tuition'99 belongs to Miss Frances Maria Kelly's Dramatic School. 1 Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905), stage name of John Henry Brodribb, manager of the Lyceum Theatre. 2 John Lawrence Toole (1830-1906), comedian and close friend of Sir Henry Irving. 3 'Miss Fanny Kelly', 23 December 1882, p. 661. According to 'Items', The Stage, 24 November 1938, p. 11, the Southern Cross Players would perform The Milkmans Round by E. Savage-Graham. 98 Mander, op. cit., p. 403.
ISSN:0012-2440