Lil Hawthorne

Full biography not available.

Some known facts:

Born 1877 - Nashville, Illinois (USA).
Died 1926.
Real Name Lillian Hawthorne
Married 1) John Edward Nash (Actor/Theatrical Manager)
Began her career in America as part of a singing trio with her sisters, Lola and Nellie.
Trivia: Was a close friend of Belle Elmore, the murder victim of the infamous Dr. Crippen. The Nashe's were instrumental in bringing Crippen's crime to light by disproving his assertion that Belle had died during a visit to the USA, and gave evidence at Crippen's trial. On 7th April 1911, The Treasury authorised a payment of £100 in respect of expenses incurred and loss sustained by Lil and her husband in connection with the case of Rex v. Crippen.

"Aladdin"
Produced at the Alexandra Theatre.
Reviewed in LLoyds Weekly News - 29th December, 1901.

Steadily progressive in action and brilliantly staged, Mr. F. W. Purcell's pantomime Aladdin, specially written by Mr. Jay Hickory Wood, is a most attractive production.

The familiar features of the story are consistently adhered to. After lively incidents in "The Market Place of Pekin" we reach "Mrs. Twankey's Garden," so that prior to the two scenes devoted to the magic cave all the principal characters are seen. When Aladdin has tested the power of the ring, inadvisedly given him by the wicked magician Abanazar, there is a grand ballet of jewels preceded by a procession. Coloured lights are cleverly used here, and at the close, when the gems form into groups and a triumphal chorus is sung to the accompaniment of two bands, the stage is richly illuminated with incandescent lamps. In the second part the story is successfully continued, and the finale is an elaborate Porcelain procession.

As regards the performance better service could not be rendered by a pantomime company. Miss Lil Hawthorne is a smart and graceful Aladdin, with taking songs ably sung, and Miss Minnie Hunt is an excellent Princess. The chief of the robust comic element is Mr. Harry Tate, a resourceful comedian with imitative faculty skilfully turned to account in the numerous disguises of Abanazar. Among his companions are Mr. George Brooks (the Widow Twankey), the Messrs. Rich (two droll policemen), and Mr. J. M. Campbell (the Emperor).

Lil Hawthorne (1877-1926)