User:Pdebee/Felice Lascelles

Felice Lascelles
Born	Felicia Madge Lessels (1904-07-19)19 July 1904 Wallasey
Died	29 April 1961(1961-04-29) (aged 56) London
Occupation	Musical comedy actress
Years active	1922–1939
Children	2, incl. Andy Irvine

Felice Lascelles (née Felicia Madge Lessels; 19 July 1904 – 29 April 1961) was a musical comedy actress, singer and dancer who performed on stage in the UK from 1922 to 1939. She is best known for her leading role in the national tours of Sunny (1927–1930), in which she sang the hit song "Who?". She is the mother of folk musician Andy Irvine.

Early life

Lascelles was born Felicia Madge Lessels in Wallasey, Merseyside on 19 July 1904, where she still resided at the launch of her stage career. She had always wanted to be an actress and, in 1922, decided to seek an engagement without letting anyone know, even though she had no idea on how to obtain an audition. After simply turning up at a theatre, she was offered a place in the chorus, which gave her a grounding in her chosen profession.

Career

Lascelles started her stage career touring in two plays by George Grossmith Jr. & J. A. E. Malone: as a chorus girl in The Cabaret Girl (1923–1924) at the Prince's Theatre, Bristol, and in the small role of Shinny Fane in The Beauty Prize (1924) at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, and other venues. Lascelles then toured with Jack Buchanan's company in both Toni (1924) and Boodle (1925), two shows which opened in Birmingham. She later went on to the London Pavilion in On With the Dance (1925) and, in addition to playing a small comedy part, understudied Hermione Baddeley for a year. After that, she was part of the chorus in the London run of Kid Boots when Leslie Henson saw her rehearsing as understudy to the leading lady and made her an offer of her first leading part as Polly in that play's national tour, which opened at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, on 30 August 1926, and in which she sang "The Two Of Us" with Claude Bailey. After the performances at the Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lascelles changed roles again and switched to playing Beth on 27 September and for the rest of the tour. The following year, she starred in the title role of Sunny Peters in the national tours of Sunny (1927–1930), which opened at the Hippodrome Theatre in Margate on 4 July 1927. This musical comedy was very popular and ran in the provinces for nearly three years, closing at the Empire Theatre in Kingston upon Thames on 24 May 1930 with Lascelles performing throughout the whole run, except for an absence of ten weeks because of illness.

Lascelles first leading appearance in pantomime was as Goldilocks in Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1929–1930), in which she sang "Tip-Toes". For most of 1931, Lascelles joined the national tour of Darling, I Love You, playing Peggy Sylvester, the show's heroin; she took over the role from Elsie Arnold in January and passed it on to Lillian Newman in November. For that year's winter season, she had been pre-announced for the role of principal girl in the pantomime adaptation of Robinson Crusoe, but joined another pantomime instead, Goody Two-Shoes (1931-1932), in which she played the lead role of Goody. Lascelles then played the role of Ena in the national tour of Stand up and Sing (1932). She appeared as Moya Malone in the stage version of That's a Good Girl (1933) with Ethel Stewart in the role of Joy Dean, and was "the girl" in Follow the Girl (1933). In 1935, she played a soubrette and dancer in Bubbles, which was also relayed on radio from the Victoria Pavilion, Ilfracombe. The following year, she appeared as herself in the Gaiety Whirl of 1936. She was Mizzi in Venus In Silk (1938).

When World War II broke out, Lascelles was on tour in South Africa with Leslie Henson and his Gaiety Company, playing in Going Greek and Swing Along. They left for England a week or two later on a blacked-out liner which took three weeks, during which they entertained the other passengers. Back in England, she played the role of Tilly in The Fleet's Lit Up (1939), and was the Princess in another pantomime adaptation of Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (1939).

Personal life

In February 1927, Lascelles secretly married actor George Neil in Newcastle. At the time, Neil had been her fellow principal in Kid Boots, and later in Sunny. They had a daughter, Susan Neil, born on 13 June 1932, who also became an actress. From a second marriage to Archibald Kennedy Irvine in 1941, Lascelles gave birth on 14 June 1942 to a son, Andrew Irvine, who started out as a child actor before switching careers to become a folk musician in Ireland, known as Andy Irvine.

Lascelles died of cancer on 29 April 1961.

Works

Musical theatre

• The Cabaret Girl (1923-1924) – (Chorus girl)
• The Beauty Prize (1924) – Shinny Fane
• Toni (1924) – (Small part)
• Boodle (1925) – (Small part)
• On with the Dance (1925) – (Small part, and understudy to Hermione Baddeley)
• Still Dancing (1925) – One of the Ladies
• Kid Boots (1926) – Chorus girl/understudy (London run);Polly (sang "The Two Of Us"), then Beth (National tour)
• Sunny (1927–1930) – Sunny Peters (sang "Who?")
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1929–1930) – Goldilocks
• Darling I Love You (1931) – Peggy Sylvester
• Goody Two-Shoes (1931–1932) – Goody
• Stand up and Sing (1932) – Ena (sang "Mercantile Marine" and "Take It or Leave It")
• That's a Good Girl (1933) – Moya Malone
• Follow the Girl (1933) – Girl
• Bubbles (1935) – (Soubrette and dancer)
• Gaiety Whirl of 1936 (1936) – As herself
• Venus In Silk (1938) – Mizzi
• Going Greek (1939) – ?
• Swing Along (1939) – ?
• The Fleet's Lit Up (1939) – Tilly
• Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (1939) – Princess

Filmography

• Love and the Whirlwind (1922)

References

Sources

Books

• O'Toole, Leagues (2006). The Humours of Planxty (hardcover) (1st ed.). Dublin: Hodder Headline. ISBN 978-0-340-83796-2.
• Wearing, J. P. (2014). The London Stage 1920–1929: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel (hardcover) (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN 978-0-8108-9301-6.

Theatre programs/playbills

• Gaiety Whirl of 1936 (Theatre program/playbill). Felice Lascelles. Ayr, UK: Ayr Gaiety Theatre. 1936. p. 3. Retrieved 29 June 2023. Throughout the Summer Season. Twice nightly 6.50 and 9.00{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

Magazines and newspapers

• "Where they are — and what they are doing". The Motion Picture Studio. Vol. 1, no. 49. London, UK: Odhams Press. 13 May 1922. p. 12; col.1. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via Internet Archive. Felice Lascelles has been engaged to play for Alliance in Love and the Whirlwind.
• "The Beauty Prize - Royal Theatre, Newcastle-On-Tyne". The Provinces. The Stage. No. 2, 240. London, UK. 21 February 1924. p. 20; col.4. Retrieved 16 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. The Beauty Prize Monday 18 February 1924 for two weeks. Royal Theatre, Newcastle-On-Tyne. The Beauty Prize made a most effective commencement in Newcastle on Monday of a two weeks' engagement, and the lovely and beautifully staged show was followed with warm applause. (...) Among others to be mentioned are (...) Felice Lascelles as Shinny Fane. [p. 14; col.5:] Mr John Hart will open the Spring dramatic season at the Grand Theatre, Leeds with (...) The Beauty Prize.
• "Chorus to Lead". Liverpool Post & Mercury. No. 22, 188. Liverpool, UK. 29 July 1926. p. 9; col.4. Retrieved 17 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. [Photo caption:] Miss Felice Lascelles, who is to play Polly in Kid Boots on tour. Miss Lascelles is a Wallasey girl.
• "A New Leading Lady (+Photo)". Manchester Evening News. No. 17, 877. Manchester, UK. 3 August 1926. p. 3; col.4. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Miss Felice Lascelles who jumped from the chorus into the part of leading lady and is coming to Manchester shortly in Kid Boots.
• "Kid Boots - Palace Theatre, Manchester". On Tour. The Stage. No. 2, 370. London, UK. 2 September 1926. p. 1; col.2. Retrieved 17 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Kid Boots Aug 30 & Sep 6, Palace, Manchester. [p. 4:] SONG: "The Two Of Us", sung by Felice Lascelles and Claude Bailey in Kid Boots.
• "Kid Boots - Empire Theatre, Liverpool". Liverpool Post & Mercury. No. 22, 228. Liverpool, UK. 14 September 1926. p. 1; col.4. Retrieved 17 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Monday 13 September. For two weeks only. 7.30. Matinees: Saturdays 2.30. [13; col.3:] Mr Henson is in fine fettle, and has but to raise one of his mobile eyebrows to set everyone roaring. But he is not the only one in this delightful musical comedy. There is, for instance, Miss Felice Lascelles, the soul of daintiness as Polly, and all the better for being a Wallasey girl. A sweet singer and lissom dancer, she makes a fitting partner for Mr Claude Bailey, who, as the club "pro.", plays love better than golf.
• "Kid Boots - King's Theatre, Edinburgh". The Stage. No. 2, 383. London, UK. 2 December 1926. p. 4; col.4. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. On Monday [29 Nov 1926], the beginning of a fortnight's engagement in Edinburgh, Mr Leslie Henson carried his audience from one shriek of laughter to another. Claude Bailey as the millionaire acts and sings well, Margaret Campbell's Polly is attractive, and Viola Compton as the lady doctor, Dora Dolaro as Carmen, Felice Lascelles as Beth, and Eric and René Le Fre, in their dances, are all good. [p. 1; col.2:] Kid Boots Nov 29, King's Edinburgh.
• "SUNNY - Hippodrome, Margate". Isle of Thanet Gazette. Vol. 58, no. 2, 993. Margate, UK. 9 July 1927. p. 7; col.5. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Sunny, a musical comedy in two acts and fifteen scenes, has delighted large audiences at each presentation at the Hippodrome this week [4 – 9 Jul 1927]. The elaborate dresses and scene effects are all new, as the play's production at Margate constitutes its first week on tour. A dress rehearsal on Sunday night [3 Jul] was personally conducted by Mr. Jack Buchanan, the well-known actor. (...) As Sunny Peters, Felice Lascelles is a vivacious and very charming little person. Max Kirby gives an excellent performance in the role of Jim Demming, the husband. Considerable talent is shown by George Neill in the part of the circus proprietor, and as Sunny's father, Naylor Grimson creates many a laugh. (...)
• "PRINCIPAL ACTRESS IN 'SUNNY' Removed to Dundee Infirmary. Undergoes an Operation". Dundee Evening Telegraph. No. 15, 939. Dundee, UK. 28 December 1927. p. 1; col.4. Retrieved 28 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Miss Felice Lascelles, who took the leading part in Sunny, now being produced in the King's Theatre, Dundee, is in Dundee Infirmary. Miss Lascelles during Monday [28 December] night was at one stage not feeling very well, and her substitute had to take one of the scenes. Subsequently Miss Lascelles reappeared, and, judging from her dancing, singing, and acting, had apparently recovered. Miss Lascelles, however, was again feeling ill yesterday, and late in the evening was conveyed to the Infirmary, where she was operated upon for appendicitis. To-day she is reported to be going on well, but it will be several weeks ere she is able to appear on the stage. Meantime her understudy, Miss Boulson, will carry on the part of Sunny. Previous to joining Sunny in July of this year Miss Lascelles was with Mr Leslie Henson's company in Kid Boots.
• "'SUNNY'". Dundee Evening Telegraph. No. 15, 947. Dundee, UK. 6 January 1928. p. 3; col.4. Retrieved 28 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. The musical comedy, Sunny, has had a very successful fortnight's run at the King's Theatre. It concludes to-morrow (Saturday) with two performances, matinee and evening. Theatregoers, at least those who saw the first performance in the city, will be interested to hear that Miss Felice Lascelles, who carried on whilst seriously ill and had subsequently to be removed to the Infirmary to undergo an operation for appendicitis, is going on well. Miss Poulton, the youngest member of the chorus, who at minute's notice took the loading part, has been filling the role very satisfactorily. Only 17 years of age, she regarded as being rather young, although full of promise, and Miss Pearl Greene has come north from London to take the part of Sunny at the matinee to-morrow [Sat 7 Jan] and in the evening, then goes on with the company to South Shields during the week-end.
• Glover, James M. (12 January 1928). "The Music Box". The Stage. No. 2, 441. London, UK. p. 15; col.4. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Miss Pearl Greene was engaged by Mr. Lee Ephraim to take up the title-role in Sunny at very short notice, and only had a few days to rehearse the part, which she successfully carried through at the Empire, Dundee, on Saturday [7 Jan]. The piece is this week [Mon 9 Jan] at the Empire, South Shields. [p. 1; col.4:] On tour: SUNNY Jan. 16, Empire, West Hartlepool.
• "SUNNY - Opera House, Middlesbrough". Newcastle Daily Chronicle. No. 21, 772. Newcastle, UK. 24 January 1928. p. 7; col.6. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. SUNNY CAPTIVATING MIDDLESBROUGH. Every dance orchestra in the country is playing Sunny music, consequently it was not surprising that the queues outside Middlesbrough Opera House last night [Mon 23 Jan] were quite unusual. In the title role of Sunny, Miss Pearl Greene lends a charming personality to a clever and lively show. (...).
• "SUNNY - Hippodrome, Darlington". The Provinces. The Stage. No. 2, 444. London, UK. 2 February 1928. p. 6; col.3. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. The brilliant musical comedy, Sunny, is drawing packed houses this week. Pearl Greene is a dainty Sunny, and sings and dances cleverly. (...)
• "SUNNY - Theatre Royal, York". Yorkshire Post. No. 25, 141. Leeds, UK. 8 February 1928. p. 14; col.1. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. The musical comedy Sunny, produced by Jack Buchanan, is visiting York Theatre Royal this week. The fifteen scenes which comprise the two acts provide some fine spectacular effects. The action is brisk and the dancing excellent, particularly the solo turns by Iris White. Max Kirby as Jim Hemming provides continuous fun, and Pearl Greene in the title role and Zoe Andrews as "Weenie" Winters deserve mention for their admirable acting and dancing. (...)
• "SUNNY - Grand Theatre, Hull". Before the Footlights. Hull Daily Mail. No. 13, 215. Hull, UK. 14 February 1928. p. 4; col.6. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Sheer joie de vivre is the keynote of Sunny, which on Monday night [13 Feb] opened with a blare and a bang in a long-anticipated week's stay at the Hull Grand Theatre. (...) The blare and the bang with which the show opens occurs outside the entrance to the circus which Sunny Peters (vivaciously played by Pearl Greene) is the champion bare-back rider. (...). [p. 4; col.3:] Evenings at 7.30. Two matinees this week (Thur and Sat at 2).
• "SUNNY - Hippodrome, Halifax". Halifax Evening Courier. No. 13, 928. Halifax, UK. 21 February 1928. p. 6; col.5. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Sunny, which was presented to a large audience last night [Mon 20 Feb], is said to be the biggest and most expensive shows that has ever visited Huddersfield. (...) The principals in the cast are Max Kirby, Pearl Greene, Zoe Andrews, Naylor Grimson, George Neil and Rex Rogers. (...) There will be matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30.
• "SUNNY - Theatre Royal, Halifax". Halifax Evening Courier. No. 13, 935. Halifax, UK. 28 February 1928. p. 1; col.1. Retrieved 28 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Monday, February 27, and week, at 7.30. Matinees Thursday and Saturday, at 2.30 pm. [p. 3; col.1:] (...) Miss Felice Lascelles is full of animation in the title role, and gives the lead to a whirlwind of amusement and gaiety. She dances effectively, and her musical numbers, "Who" and "The Wedding Knell", haunt the piece. (...)
• "Well-kept Secret of Sunny Principal's Wedding Revealed". Stage Gossip. Derby Daily Telegraph. Vol. LXXVIII, no. 14, 041. Derby, UK. 11 April 1928. p. 5; col.5. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. [Miss Felice Lascelles and Miss Zoe Andrews] both greeted me cheerily before telling me of the great deception practised on me by Miss Lascelles when Sunny was here in October [1927]. On that occasion she told me she was unmarried (...). Now, I am told she has been married for 15 months to George Neil, who plays Wendell-Wendell in the show. However, I was not the only one taken in, for the whole company were surprised to learn the news. There were good reasons for the secrecy, and for once the male partner was guilty of letting the cat out of the bag. In Dundee Miss Lascelles had to be taken from the theatre to be operated on for appendicitis. Her husband was in such a state that he "just simply had to let everyone know". They were in Kid Boots on tour with Leslie Henson when they were married in Newcastle. (...) I am glad the operation was successful, though it kept Miss Lascelles from work for ten weeks. (...).
• "Midlands Give Welcome to the Great Season of Christmas Shows / Goldilocks and the Three Bears". Evening Despatch. No. 12, 021. Birmingham, UK. 27 December 1929. p. 3; col.6. Retrieved 26 April 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. (...) Elsie Prince is a vivacious principal boy with a particularly sweet if over-strong voice which we like best in "Painting Clouds Sunshine" and "Everybody Loves You" and Felice Lascelles makes a very dainty Goldilocks whose best vocal number is "Tip-Toes". (...)
• Astra (29 December 1929). "Stars of Pantomime / Her First Lead". Sunday Mercury. No. 573. Birmingham, UK. p. 10; col.3. Retrieved 17 May 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Miss Felice Lascelles started her stage career in the chorus at the Winter Garden Theatre in The Cabaret Girl and then played a small part in The Beauty Prize. Later she was with Jack Buchanan in Toni and Boodle, two shows which opened in Birmingham. Miss Lascelles later went on to the London Pavilion in On With the Dance and, in addition to playing a small comedy part, understudied Hermione Baddeley for a year. After that, she returned to the Winter Garden in Kid Boots and, one lucky day Leslie Henson saw her rehearsing as understudy to the leading lady. Mr Henson immediately made her an offer of her first leading part—that of lead in the tour of Kid Boots, which also opened in Birmingham. Since the end of that tour she has been playing the title role in Sunny. [Goldilocks and the Three Bears] is her first experience in pantomime, and she has made good. It would be difficult to find a more graceful principal girl.
• "Behind the Footlights". Leicester Chronicle. No. 781. Leicester, UK. 3 May 1930. p. 7; col.2. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. [Miss Felice Lascelles] had her first leading part with Leslie Henson in Kid Boots.
• "SUNNY - Empire Theatre, Kingston". Surrey Advertiser. Vol. CXXII, no. 9, 253. Guildford & Kingston, UK. 21 May 1930. p. 5; col.1. Retrieved 21 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive. SUNNY, An Excellent Show. Patrons of Kingston Empire are being provided with a first class entertainment this week [19–24 May 1930] in Sunny, the musical comedy which had a long run in London. It is played by a very capable company, and the show is exceedingly well staged. Eric Fawcett, as Jim Denning, and Louis Roslyn, as Harold Wendell Wendell, are irresistible humourists, and Felice Lascelles is a charming Sunny. Zoe Andrews, as Weenie Winters, and Gus Oxley, as Sunny's father, also make a big contribution to the play's success. Next week: The Merry Whirl.
• "Darling, I Love You - The Wimbledon, London". London Theatres. The Stage. No. 2, 592. London, UK. 4 December 1930. p. 16; col.6. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive. THE WIMBLEDON. This week [Mon 1 – Sat 6 December] Mr Arthur Longstaff presents, by arrangement with Mr. Laddie Cliff, a talented company in the musical comedy Darling, I Love You. Mr. Gus McNaughton must be congratulated upon his clever and humorous interpretation of Bertie Bundy. (...) Miss Elsie Arnold sings and dances charmingly as Peggy Sylvester, and, in partnership with Mr. Laurence Naismith, who so admirably portrays Bobby Darrell, performs several tuneful duets and graceful dancing. (...)
• "Darling, I Love You - Theatre Royal, Huddersfield". Halifax Evening Courier. No. 14, 983. Halifax, UK. 20 January 1931. p. 1; col.1. Retrieved 26 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive. Evenings at 7.30. Matinee: Saturday at 2.30 [p. 3; col.3:] Huddersfield Theatre Royal. All the features that one associates with the best in modern musical comedy are contained In Darling, I Love You, which is at the Huddersfield Theatre Royal this week [19–24 Jan 1931]. (...) On the serious side, nothing could be more acceptable than the winsome performance of Miss Felice Lascelles, who sings, acts and dances with great grace and charm. (...)
• "'Darling, I Love You'". In The Limelight Next Week. Liverpool Echo. No. 15, 928. Liverpool, UK. 23 January 1931. p. 10; col.4. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Felice Lascelles, the leading lady, is a Wallasey girl who, with her sister, has gained a name in musical comedy work.
• "Darling, I Love You - Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool". This Week in Stageland. Liverpool Echo. No. 15, 931. Liverpool, UK. 27 January 1931. p. 4; col.6. Retrieved 27 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive. ROYAL COURT — Darling, I Love You. A musical comedy. (...) Miss Felice Lascelles, a pretty and graceful heroine in voice and presence, learned in a tribute of flowers how Merseyside rejoices in the success of its local talent (...). [p. 1; col.1:] Evenings at 7.30. Matinee: Saturday at 2. FIRST VISIT TO LIVERPOOL.
• "'Darling, I Love You'". In The Limelight Next Week. Liverpool Echo. No. 16, 113. Liverpool, UK. 28 August 1931. p. 10; col.2,4. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. The leading lady is Felice Lascelles, at one time a resident in Wallasey who, a year or two ago, made a reputation by her playing in Sunny at this theatre (Winter Gardens Theatre).
• "This Year's Panto: 'Robinson Crusoe'". In and About. Huddersfield Daily Examiner. No. 20, 261. Huddersfield, UK. 12 November 1931. p. 2; col.6. Retrieved 7 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. This year, I hear, Robinson Crusoe is to be the Theatre Royal panto (...). The principal girl will be Miss Felice Lascelles, the principal boy Miss Irene Lister, and the principal comedians Cliff Weir, Ernie Leno and Tow Howell.
• "Darling, I Love You - Empire Theatre, Penge". The Silver Screen. Forest Hill & Sydenham Examiner. No. 1, 304. London. 28 November 1931. p. 2; col.3. Retrieved 2 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive. PENGE EMPIRE. Darling, I Love You, which comes to the Penge Empire next week [Mon 30 November – Sat 5 December 1931], is a bright, happy and original musical comedy. (...) Gus McNaughton (Bertie Bundy), scores all throughout the show with his clean and clever foolery, particularly when he is conducting and dancing the Rhapsody, which is supposed to be his own composition. (...) The love interest is in the capable hands Lillian Newman and Kenneth Birrell. (...)
• "Felice Lascelles". The Stage. No. 2, 646. London, UK. 17 December 1931. p. 1; col.1. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Felice Lascelles. 53D Queen's Gardens, W.2. Phone Pad. 9074. Direction, Lee Ephraim.

• "LASCELLES-NEIL". Births. Liverpool Daily Post. No. 24, 013. Liverpool, UK. 16 June 1932. p. 1; col.1. Retrieved 7 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. June 13, at 47 Addison Avenue, London W.11, to FELICE LASCELLES, wife of GEORGE ANDERSON NEIL, a daughter (doing splendidly).
• "'Stand up and Sing' at Belfast Opera House". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast, UK. 15 November 1932. p. 2; col.6. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Miss Felice Lascelles has a pleasing voice which she enhances by a charming artistry. She is a musical comedy favourite, and was as warmly applauded on Monday night as she was when she appeared in Sunny a few years ago. Two of her best numbers were "Mercantile Marine" and "Take It or Leave It", the latter securing an outstanding reception.

• "'Stand up and Sing' at the Empire Theatre, Leeds". The Stage. No. 2, 697. London, UK. 8 December 1932. p. 20; col.1. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Felice Lascelles as Ena, (...).
• "'Good Girl' — Good Show". Sunday Sun. No. 701. Newcastle. 1 January 1933. p. 4; col.5-6. Retrieved 6 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. This week, That's a Good Girl, considered by many to be easily the best laugh in the Buchanan repertoire, is the New Year attraction and the company who so capitally put across the first of the series, Sunny, will be seen again at this week's show. (...) Felice Lascelles and Ethel Stewart, who appears in her original role of "Joy Dean", are admirable foils to Eric [Fawcett] and play up to him with rare élan.
• "Love and Laughter: 'Follow the Girl'". Blackpool's Week of Laughter Shows: STAGE. Blackpool Times. No. 6, 485. Blackpool, UK. 17 November 1933. p. 5; col.5-6. Retrieved 7 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Felice Lascelles plays the girl. This charming and beautiful artist adds yet another success to a list which includes Sunny, Stand Up and Sing, That's a Good Girl and Darling, I Love You.
• "Follow the Girl". Blackpool Times. No. 6, 486. Blackpool, UK. 24 November 1933. p. 5; col.6. Retrieved 29 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
• "Bubbles". To-day's Radio. Western Daily Press. Vol. 154, no. 25, 791. Bristol, UK. 9 July 1935. p. 9; col.1-3. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Relayed from the Victoria Pavilion, Ilfracombe.
• "Happy Charm of 'Venus in Silk'". Bradford Observer. No. 23, 173. Bradford, UK. 22 March 1938. p. 4; col.6. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
• "'Venus in Silk' at Theatre Royal, Nottingham". The Stage. No. 2, 974. London, UK. 31 March 1938. p. 11; col.1. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
• "The Fleet's Lit Up". Birmingham Gazette. No. 29, 822. Birmingham, UK. 22 November 1939. p. 2; col.1. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
• "Successful Play: The Fleet's Lit Up". Lewis Ashley's Pageant. Sunday Sun. No. 1, 062. Newcastle. 3 December 1939. p. 2; col.5-6. Retrieved 7 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive. Another star in the show—Felice Lascelles—looked in for a cup of tea. She has already had a great deal of experience of what the war means for stage folk. She was on tour in South Africa with Leslie Henson and his Gaiety Company in Going Greek and Swing Along when the war broke out, and they left for England a week or two later on a blacked-out liner which took three weeks instead of the usual 13 days for the voyage. But the trip wasn't entirely monotonous with a theatrical company on board to relieve the gloom for the other passengers. They stayed at Sierra Leone for seven days and while they were there were entertained by the Governor and in return did their bit to entertain the Navy. The company went on board several of the ships there and gave concerts. When their ship left they were thrilled to get a signalled message of thanks from the Navy to Leslie Henson and the members of his company.
• "Empire: The Fleet's Lit Up". Nottingham Journal. No. 85, 548. Nottingham, UK. 5 December 1939. p. 5; col.1. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
• "Pantomime's Excellent Beginning: 'Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp'". Birmingham Daily Post. No. 25, 411. Birmingham, UK. 27 December 1939. p. 6; col.5. Retrieved 6 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.

Websites

• Lessels Yates, Lynly (2010). "The family history of John LESSELS and Elizabeth Hamilton MURRAY" (PDF). pp. 7, 14. Retrieved 21 April 2024 – via docplayer.net. 7-1-1-4 Felicia Madge LESSELS, born 19 July 1904, Wallasey, Cheshire, England
• "Biography". andyirvine.com. Andy Irvine. Chapter 1. 21 YEARS A-GROWING. Retrieved 5 July 2023. Cisco [Houston] died of cancer. Same day [29 April 1961] as my mother died of the same disease.
• "The Cabaret Girl (1923-1924)". theatricalia.com. Matthew Somerville. Cast & Crew. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
• "The Guide to Musical Theatre". guidetomusicaltheatre.com. London Revues. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
• "GOLDILOCKS: The Panto. PART ONE". ibygreenroom.wordpress.com. It's Behind You Dot Com – Green Room. 15 November 2022. [Scroll down to "1929-30"]. Retrieved 28 June 2023.

External links

• Felicia Madge IRVINE (born Lascelles/Lessels), 1904 - 1961 at MyHeritage.com