Bernard

Thank you for giving us Fools and Mortals. I am the 5th generation of the Randall family to have made a life in the theatre and, having grown up backstage, I have always been fascinated with the evolution of the theatrical environment, particularly having just retired as GM of the wonderful Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre, the last remaining vaudeville era “double decker”, here in Toronto.

Question: Do you have any knowledge of the history of actors using “stage names?” My great grandfather, William Herbert Randall, was a Savoyard who styled himself Bertie Ralland and my great grandmother used Adelaide Randall and Henrietta Cavendish, amongst others.

It makes for some challenging research I assure you. But I wondered if, when researching the era of F&M you and your researcher had come across the use of stage names, or have any insights into when the practice was introduced, and why?

I’ve read most of your books and particularly enjoyed F&M – again many many thanks.

Brett Randall