Laura Burt papers, 1883-1950.

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Creator

Burt, Laura, d. 1952.

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division

Extent

• 1.25 lin. ft. (3 boxes )

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Scope/Contents Note

The Laura Burt papers include clippings, correspondence, family and personal papers, programs, some production materials, and several scripts and sides for parts played by Burt. There are also some papers belonging to Henry Stanford, Burt's husband, as well to Sir Henry Irving, with whom both Burt and Stanford performed. The papers arearranged alphabetically by subject. The collection contains a large number of clippings, sometimes annotated by Burt relating to her career, family, and subjects in which she was interested, such as poetry. Productions are documented mostly with clippings, programs, and publicity materials. Burt's activities honoring her Welsh heritage are also reflected in the papers.

Biographical/Historical Note

British-born actress Laura Burt (died 1952) was active as a performer in the United States and England from the late19th century through the middle of the 20th century. Bornon the Isle of Man to Captain Brown Burt and a Welsh mother, Ann Lloyd Burt, Laura Burt's family came to Shannon, Illinois around 1876, before finally settling in Ohio. She made her first appearance on the stage at the Academy of Music, New York City in The Old Homestead (1889). Afterwards she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Burt was first noticed for her performance as Nell Tutewiler and subsequently as June in Blue Jeans (1890). Another of her notable roles was Madge in the play,In Old Kentucky (1893), at Palmer's Theatre. Burt toured in this role for two seasons. She made her first appearance in London in February 1898 at the Shakespeare Theatre, Clapham, as June in Blue Jeans. In 1902, Burt married British actor Henry Stanford (real name, Harry Costello). The two performed together as well as separately and were married until Stanford's death in 1921. The couple purchased a home in Great Kills, Staten Island, called Stanford Lodge. Stanford and Burt played with Sir Henry Irving's company both in England and on hislast U.S. tour. Burt performed for Sir Henry Irving from 1903 to 1906, starring as Helen of Swabia in Dante, and also performing in Louis XI. After her contract with Sir Henry Irving expired, Burt took her own company on a successful tour of the English provinces in 1907. Among the productions in which Burt and Stanford performed together were Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall (1906-1907), The Walls of Jericho (1907-1908), and The Order of the Bath, a vaudeville skit (circa 1908-1910). Burt also performed recitations and impersonations in vaudeville. Perhaps one of Burt's most notable roles was the Nurse in the 1913 revival of Eugene Brieux's, Damaged Goods, a playthat explored the repercussions on a family of a husband with a sexually transmitted disease. She was active in theatrical clubs and associations, such as the Twelfth Night Club, and was a lifelong member of the Professional Woman's League. She also took part in suffragette activities and was also a convert to Christian Science, although the exact date is unclear. Although she participated in many Welsh heritage events and clubs, Burtbecame a U.S. citizen in 1924.

Controlled Access Terms

• Burt, Laura, d. 1952.
• Irving, Henry, Sir, 1838-1905.
• Stanford, Henry, 1872-1921.
• Actresses -- England.
• Actresses -- United States.
• Theater -- England -- London -- 19th century.
• Theater -- England -- London -- 20th century.
• Theater -- New York (State) -- New York -- 19th century.
• Theater -- New York (State) -- New York -- 20th century.
• Theatrical managers.
• Welsh Americans.
• Women in the theater -- England.
• Women in the theater -- United States.
• Women theatrical managers.
• Clippings.
• Correspondence.
• Programs.
• Scripts (documents)
• Actresses

Additional Creator Names

• Irving, Henry, Sir, 1838-1905.
• Stanford, Henry, 1872-1921.