In 1891 Kittie Carson, the celebrated actress, became concerned at the distress that she had observed amongst certain individuals connected with her profession who, through no fault of their own, found themselves out of work with the winter months approaching. The lesser members of her profession, especially those with touring companies, had a particularly hard time of it, often not knowing when one engagement would end or the next would begin. Living from hand to mouth, they had little opportunity to build up savings against the hard times, and when forced to stop working through illness or maternity could quickly find themselves in dire circumstances. It was these latter cases that Mrs. Carson was particularly concerned about, and so she took it upon herself to found a relief organisation to come to their aid. Consequently, on the 13th November 1891, she gathered together a number of her esteemed friends at her home at 48 Great Russell Street, London, to discuss her proposals.
Click here to read an article on Miss Kitty Carson
Miss Fanny Brough
Reproduced below are two period articles in which the Theatrical Ladies Guild's first president, Miss Fanny Brough, speaks about the organisations aims.
(The Westminster Budget [London, UK] - 5th January, 1894)
THE THEATRICAL LADIES' GUILD
A CHAT WITH THE PRESIDENT, MISS FANNY BROUGH
The Theatrical Ladies' Guild has been formed by ladies in the theatrical profession with the object of assisting - by the loan of clothes to mother and child - their sisters (whether actresses, actors' wives, choristers, extras, cleaners, or dressers) in the profession during the period of their maternity.
"And what suggested the idea of this Guild to you?" our represent asked Miss Fanny Brough the other day.
"Well, Mrs. C. L. Carson really originated the idea, there were many cases with which the Actors' Benevolent Fund could not well deal. You may imagine what a need existed for some such work as this which we have in hand when I tell you that we have assisted 57 cases in the last year - that is to say, more than one a week."
"And do you find this plan of lending bundles of babies' clothing, &c., to be the answer? I mean, do you not find that the Guild is constantly being 'done.' by having its things pawned or stolen outright?"
Miss Brough smiled. "I am pleased to tell you that we have not been 'done' once as yet, and the letters of gratitude which we receive are extremely touching. Of course, we make all sorts of inquiries, and those who apply for our help must have some kind of reference; but we make no stipulation as to how long the clothes may be kept, and only consider that the loan begins on the day that the baby is born, continuing until it is in a condition to be short-coated. I am pleased to tell you," added Miss Brough brightly, "that all the Guild babies, both boys and girls, have been splendid specimens - according to the mothers, of course."
"And do you give money as well?"
"In some cases we have paid the doctor's fee and given small grants when we found it absolutely necessary, but the medical profession have been most kind to us, and, generally speaking, have given their services gratuitously. I should like to mention Dr. Sunderland, of the Hospital for Women and Children: he has been unwearied in his goodness to us, and has never refused to see a single case which we have brought under his notice. Indeed, everyone has done the best for us, and you could scarce name a prominent member of the profession who is not a subscriber, or, if a lady, an active worker for the Guild."
"Then the clothes you send out are really made up by the members themselves?"
"Certainly: we have a working 'Bee' every Tuesday at Mrs. Carson's, under her supervision, and 30 or 40 willing workers always turn up. We are extremely proud of our baby clothes and of the work put into them; there is no machine work nor shoddy style about our little garments, and the best materials are used. Every article, too, is cut out from the prettiest and daintiest patterns. You would be touched could you see some of the letters we have received from the mothers, who have not only felt their baby was warm and comfortable, but that it looked pretty enough to be shown to anybody . Among the finest workers of the Guild is my own grandmother, Mrs. Brough, an old lady of 90, and Mrs. Keeley, the veteran actress, 86, who can also ply her needle with the best. We have applications from all parts of the United Kingdom, including gallant little Wales. Lately Mrs. Carson has added to the rest of her honorary secretarial work a department for cast-off clothing, which is extremely useful, for, as you probably know, excepting in first-class theatres, actresses have to supply their own stage costumes."
"That must indeed make a heavy hole in a small salary."
"I think I may say that had it not been for Mrs. Carson's kindness their are several ladies who simply could not have accepted engagements. I myself was reckoning up the other day how many stage dresses I had worn last year, and found that the number was over forty. Some of the dresses lent by Mrs. Carson have been really handsome costumes; after they comeback from being out on tour, they are cleaned and put away till again wanted."
"I suppose that only those belonging to the fair sex are allowed to be members of the Guild?"
"Anyone may be an associate on the payment of one shilling, and some of our most generous supporters have been outsiders; among them I may mention the Rev. Arthur Brinkman and Mr. Clement Scott. Our little guild is evidently making its way. The other day I had the honour to be presented to the Duchess of Teck, and without my mentioning the subject in any way she said to me, 'Miss Brough, I am very much interested in the Theatrical Ladies' Guild, and wish that you would tell me all about it,' adding, in addition, that she would like me to send anything that was published about us to her. To my great surprise I found that her Royal Highness thoroughly understood all our aims and objects."
(The Stage Year-Book 1909)
"OUR GUILD." by Fanny Brough
I am glad to have this opportunity of contributing to so admirable an annual as THE STAGE YEAR-BOOK a few words about the Theatrical Ladies' Guild. Sixteen years have passed since Mrs. C. L. Carson came to me with her scheme for assisting the staff or employes of our theatres in London and the provinces. While actors are more or less en evidence before the public, the unseen, unknown hands that work "behind the scenes'" are rarely given a thought. The staff of a theatre comprises all kinds and conditions of hard-working, deserving men and women, among whom I have met many humble heroes and heroines, bearing their hard struggles for life with exemplary fortitude. The original object of the Guild - to help with necessary clothing and medical aid mother and child in maternity cases - soon extended into various other directions, and has now developed a more widely useful general character, though the basis is always a charitable one. The Theatrical Ladies' Guild has never been obliged to refuse a deserving case, thanks to the ready response of our members, theatrical and non-professional. "A case" nearly always means a whole family wife, husband, and children. I consider the cast-off clothing branch of the Theatrical Ladies' Guild the most far-reaching charity that was ever formed for helping the less fortunate members of our profession. Scarcely one day in the whole year passes that has not seen one or more made happy by having the means (suitable clothes) provided to look for work, obtain it, and keep it. I have not space or time to enter into all the details of interest I should like to dwell upon, for the Theatrical Ladies' Guild is very dear to me. I would here beg of every member of our profession who reads this little message to start the New Year by joining the Theatrical Ladies' Guild. Remember, it is open to all, the subscriptions ranging from 1s., and if only one single garment, old or new, a pair of boots or gloves, is sent, small as the gift may seem, it will bring a "big bit" of comfort to one of the many deserving applicants who appeal to "Our Guild."
Click here to read an article on Miss Kitty Carson
Click here to read two interviews with Miss Fanny Brough
(The Echo [London, UK] - 19th November, 1896)
MRS. C. L. CARSON
There is no name better known or loved in the theatrical world than that of Mrs. Charles L. Carson ("Kittie" Carson), the wife of the editor of the Stage, and the founder of the Theatrical Ladies' Guild, the Guild which to-morrow celebrates its fifth anniversary with a great meeting at the Lyceum Theatre, kindly lent now, as in former years, by Sir Henry Irving.
Speaking of the origin of the Guild, Mrs. Carson tells how, five years ago, she heard a pitiful story - a story of great need on one side, of hardened narrow-mindedness on the other. A married woman, a dancer at the Alhambra, expecting her confinement, had applied to a clergyman for assistance and had been refused, "because she was a ballet-girl."
Then Mrs. Carson, who had herself but recently quitted the theatrical profession, thought out a scheme which should be the means of stretching forth a helping hand to its less fortunate members. Assisted by some seventy leading actresses, who entered with heartfelt sympathy into her plan, she founded the Theatrical Ladies' Guild, with Miss Fanny Brough as its president, and Miss Kate James as its vice-president.
The primary object of the Guild was to help the poorer members of the theatrical profession at the time of maternity. Since its foundation, however, it has received enormous additions - hospital beds for cases of severe illness, admittance to convalescent homes, help in sickness and in need, a lending library, and facilities for purchasing baby clothes at cost price; and last, but not least, second only in importance to the maternity cases, the Cast-off Clothing Society. Here the Guild has supplied a want most terribly felt by actors and actresses, "who, dependent wholly on their profession, are often prevented from obtaining engagements by the shabbiness of their outfit, or their inability to provide the clothes required by the management.
Thanks to friends, Mrs. Carson has been enabled to meet the large demand made upon her, and has so managed that no one but herself knows who has applied to her for assistance. Mrs. Carson, mentioning this part of her work, adds feelingly, "for if we are poor in this profession we are also very proud."
Every Tuesday afternoon a sewing-bee, in connection with the maternity scheme, is held at the offices of the Guild. Branch sewing-bees are also held in the provinces. Miss Lily Hanbury, who is indefatigable in her zeal for the cause, but modestly reticent concerning her own share in the good work, often presides at the London meetings. Sitting at the head of the table she presents an example of industry to the busy workers, who all come prepared to do their best.
To see Mrs. Carson on one of these occasions is to gather some idea of the magnitude of the task she has set herself to perform. Surrounded by "her girlies," as she loves to call them, she helps, advises, and directs. This week she was beset by many inquiries from ladies anxious for details as to the big meeting at the Lyceum, where Miss Ellen Terry will give to the four workers who have been most constant in their attendance at the sewing-bees a silver
badge. These badges are exactly similar in pattern to the beautiful one designed by Miss Gertrude Warden, and presented, together with a diamond star and signed illuminated address, to Mrs. Carson by eighty leading actresses as a mark of their appreciation and esteem.
The Guild's energetic and cheery president, Miss Fanny Brough, will take the chair at the Lyceum meeting. Amongst the ladies who will speak are Miss Genevieve Ward, Miss Annie Hughes, Mrs. Gordon Ascher, Miss Lily Hanbury, Miss Gertrude Kingston, Mrs. Edward Sabur, Miss Kate James, Miss Vane Featherstone, Mrs. Clement Scott, Mrs. Douglas Cox, Mrs. Oscar Beringer, Mrs, Albert Barker, and Mrs. Theodore Wright, who will move the adoption of the report.
That the Guild is in a flourishing condition is evidenced not only by its comfortable balance at the bankers, but by the fact that it now numbers 2,000 members. Since 1891 nearly 500 maternity cases have been assisted, while in one form or another help has been received by about 1,200 other cases.
As Mrs. Carson simply and gratefully puts it:- "Whatever I have wanted for my work has been given to me."
She cannot speak too enthusiastically of the generous help extended to her by friends, both in and out of the profession, but there is not one of her loyal fellow-workers who does not ascribe the success of the Guild to the earnestness and devotion of Mrs. Carson. She has given up her time to the work - a work which none but a greathearted woman could have originated, which none but a woman of infinite tact, discretion, and delicacy of feeling could have carried out, and of whom it may truly be said, that to her "All worldly joys go lesse, To the one joy of doing kindnesse."
Click here to read two interviews with Miss Fanny Brough
As instigator of the organisation, Mrs. Carson was unanimously voted as its inaugural President but declined the honour, offering herself instead as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, which was unanimously voted and carried. Miss Fanny Brough subsequently became the first President (a post she held for many years) with Miss Katie James as Vice President, and a motion was put forward and carried that the society should call itself "The Theatrical Ladies Guild". Amongst the rules passed by the Guild were that:
Of course, the sum raised by this small group of actresses was not initially very large, and so it was decided to hold weekly 'Sewing Bees' to make warm clothing for those temporarily out of work. At the earliest of these events about a dozen ladies gathered in Mrs. Carson's daintly little drawing room, which she had volunteered for the purpose. But soon the numbers grew so that Kittie had to begin removing her regular furniture from that room to accomodate extra chairs for all the ladies attending. The work would generally begin at around three o'clock in the afternoon, with an interruption for tea around four o'clock generously provided by their gracious host.
As the numbers continued to swell, Kitty had to host the overflow in her dining room until the numbers became so great that she could not possibly accomodate them all, and alternate premises had to be found. A further problem was that of housing the ever increasing volume of clothing donated and/or stitched together by the Guild's members. To accomodate these needs, premises were taken in Wellington Street, Covent Garden.
In 1895, the manufacturing of clothes became the province of 'The Stage Needlework Guild', founded by Miss Lousie Stopford as a branch of the Theatrical Ladies' Guild. Its object was solely the manufacture and supply of clothing - for purposes of distribution it then handed the finished garments, following an exhibition usually held in December, over to the Theatrical Ladies' Guild who would then decide upon the recipients. Miss Stopford became it's first President, and there were unlimited vice-presidents - the only qualification for such a position being an undertaking to find at least five new associate members. All members were required to contribute at least two new useful garments per year (purchased or manufactured) and pay a subscription of at least sixpence per year to cover administrative expenses. Alternatively, members, including men, could become associates by contributing at least two shillings and sixpence per year which would be used to purchase items which the women could not readily make (such as blankets, etc.). Over the years this organisation provided many thousands of items of clothing for distribution. In 1913 alone, the last full year of operation before the outbreak of war, the Needlework Guild supplied 4,718 garments to the Theatrical Ladies' Guild.
Before long the guild had outgrown the premises at Wellington Street and relocated to Russell Street, Covent Garden, then to spacious premises close to its roots at 90 Great Russell Street. It must have gladdened the heart of Mrs. Carson to see the tireless work carrying on on her own doorstep although by then she had been forced to retire from the committee through overstrain.
By this time the Guild had become a vital and highly respected beneficent society which could boast some of the most popular names of the London Stage amongst its members: Lena Ashwell, Lillian Braithwaite, Eva Moore and Irene Vanbrugh to name but a few that appear amongst these pages (the full list is much longer).
Although originally set up primarily to help maternity cases, its aims had soon broadened to encompass the provision of clothing, for stage or private use, for the poorer members (men, women and children) of the theatrical profession, and of the working staff of the London and provincial theatres. It also threw its doors open for membership to ladies not connected with the theatrical profession who, on the payment of an annual subscription of two shillings and sixpence, could then attend the regular sewing bees at the Guild's office.
Upon Mrs. Carson's retirement as Secretary that post was then taken up by Miss Millicent Hammond, who had previous experience of that line of work with the Charity Organisation Society. The function of the Secretary was to screen applications submitted to the Guild before placing in front of the committee all of the particulars of the genuinely deserving cases. This was a necessity since the committee members were all busy women with little time to spend on anything outside of the theatre. Furthermore, whilst it was the Guild's desire to assist all deserving cases, their resources were not unlimited and it was necessary to ensure that they were not being exploited by false applications. Initially, the Guild restricted its aid to clothing, coal (for heating), and soup and bread tickets - although money also would sometimes be granted in exceptional cases.
Over the years the Guild has continued to grow and widen it's scope and has assisted thousands of worthy individuals through their darkest hours. In 2001 the Guild changed it's name to The Theatre Guild to overcome misconceptions that it provided aid for women only.
The Music Hall Ladies guild was a beneficent society operating on similar lines to the Theatrical Ladies Guild to aid members of the music Hall profession. Its stated objectives were:
