| Description | A collection of some 4,400 printed and manuscript playscripts (many of these are prompt copies), with a number of works on the history of the English theatre, from the son of their original owner, Arthur Williams (1844-1915), a popular comedian in the late Victorian and Edwardian popular theatre. The material is extra-illustrated, ie it has paste-ins by Williams, giving the cast lists of productions in which he was involved or which he knew about. See also the Arthur Williams Collection. The collection covers many of the most popular writers for the stage, stretching in period from the 18th century to the early 20th century. Its strength lies in its concentration on the popular: melodramas, tragedies, farces, and burlesques. |
| Admin history | Frank Edmund George Pettingell (1 January 1891 – 17 February 1966) was an English actor. Pettingell was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, and educated at Manchester University. During the First World War he served with the King's Liverpool Regiment. Before becoming an actor, he worked as an artist and journalist. He appeared in such films as the original version of Gaslight (1940), Kipps (1941 - as Old Kipps), The Crimson Pirate (1952) and Becket (1964 - as the Bishop of York). He was married to Ethel Till. He died on February 17, 1966 in London, England. |