W. J. MacQueen-Pope
Encyclopedia
Walter James MacQueen-Pope (11 April 1888 – 27 June 1960) was an English theatre historian and publicist. From a theatrical family which could be traced back to contemporaries of Shakespeare, he was in management for the first part of his career, but switched to publicity, in which field he became well-known. He was a prolific writer of books about the theatre, and in particular its more glamorous aspects. He also described himself as an "authority on pantomime
".
, the playwright, manager and theatrical philanthropist. He tried his hand as a playwright, with limited success: The Times
was dismissive of his short play, The Punctual Sex, in 1919. Sir Alfred Butt
appointed him business manager at the Queen's Theatre
, and after holding similar posts at other West End
theatres, and holding the post of manager and secretary of Alexandra Palace
from 1922 to 1925, he was appointed general manager of the Duke of York's Theatre
in 1927, and was put in charge of the new Whitehall Theatre before it opened in 1930. The Times said of his career, "it was as press representative at the Palladium
in 1925 that he began to develop his special talent for passing on to others ... his love and knowledge of the theatre generally and in particular of Drury Lane
, of the Haymarket
(Theatre of Perfection) and of the Gaiety
(Theatre of Enchantment)."
MacQueen-Pope was in charge of publicity at Drury Lane for 21 years, including four years running publicity for the whole of ENSA
, which had its headquarters in the building. After World War II
he produced books about all the theatres with which he had been principally associated, and many other books, including a biography of Ivor Novello
, of whom MacQueen-Pope approved as possessing glamour, the quality he most prized in the theatre and which he felt was in short supply in the post-war world. In 1955 he began to give talks about the theatre on BBC
television, using his nickname, "Popie" as a title for his series.
He married Stella Suzanne Schumann in 1912. There was one daughter of the marriage. After his retirement as publicist for Drury Lane, he continued as the theatre's historian until his death. He died in London age 72.
, 1953; Back Numbers, 1954; Pillars of Drury Lane, 1955; Nights of Gladness, 1956; Give Me Yesterday, 1957; St James's: Theatre of Distinction, 1958; The Footlights Flickered, 1959; and Goodbye Piccadilly
, 1960, his autobiography, posthumously published.
Pantomime
Pantomime — not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime—is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, India, Ireland, Gibraltar and Malta, and is mostly performed during the...
".
Biography
MacQueen-Pope, always known by his initials or, familiarly, as "Popie", was the eldest son of Walter George Pope and Frederica MacQueen. He was educated privately and at Tollington school. He first worked in a shipping office but became connected with the theatre as private secretary to George DanceGeorge Dance (dramatist)
George Dance was an English lyricist and librettist in the 1890s and an important theatrical manager at the beginning of the 20th century....
, the playwright, manager and theatrical philanthropist. He tried his hand as a playwright, with limited success: The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
was dismissive of his short play, The Punctual Sex, in 1919. Sir Alfred Butt
Alfred Butt
Sir Alfred Butt, 1st Baronet was a British theatre entrepreneur, Conservative politician and racehorse owner and breeder...
appointed him business manager at the Queen's Theatre
Queen's Theatre
The Queen's Theatre is a West End theatre located in Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. It opened on 8 October 1907 as a twin to the neighbouring Gielgud Theatre which opened ten months earlier. Both theatres were designed by W.G.R...
, and after holding similar posts at other West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
theatres, and holding the post of manager and secretary of Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace is a building in North London, England. It stands in Alexandra Park, in an area between Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Wood Green...
from 1922 to 1925, he was appointed general manager of the Duke of York's Theatre
Duke of York's Theatre
The Duke of York's Theatre is a West End Theatre in St Martin's Lane, in the City of Westminster. It was built for Frank Wyatt and his wife, Violet Melnotte, who retained ownership of the theatre, until her death in 1935. It opened on 10 September 1892 as the Trafalgar Square Theatre, with Wedding...
in 1927, and was put in charge of the new Whitehall Theatre before it opened in 1930. The Times said of his career, "it was as press representative at the Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
in 1925 that he began to develop his special talent for passing on to others ... his love and knowledge of the theatre generally and in particular of Drury Lane
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
, of the Haymarket
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
(Theatre of Perfection) and of the Gaiety
Gaiety Theatre, London
The Gaiety Theatre, London was a West End theatre in London, located on Aldwych at the eastern end of the Strand. The theatre was established as the Strand Musick Hall , in 1864 on the former site of the Lyceum Theatre. It was rebuilt several times, but closed from the beginning of World War II...
(Theatre of Enchantment)."
MacQueen-Pope was in charge of publicity at Drury Lane for 21 years, including four years running publicity for the whole of ENSA
Entertainments National Service Association
The Entertainments National Service Association or ENSA was an organisation set up in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War II. ENSA operated as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes...
, which had its headquarters in the building. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he produced books about all the theatres with which he had been principally associated, and many other books, including a biography of Ivor Novello
Ivor Novello
David Ivor Davies , better known as Ivor Novello, was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Born into a musical family, his first successes were as a songwriter...
, of whom MacQueen-Pope approved as possessing glamour, the quality he most prized in the theatre and which he felt was in short supply in the post-war world. In 1955 he began to give talks about the theatre on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television, using his nickname, "Popie" as a title for his series.
He married Stella Suzanne Schumann in 1912. There was one daughter of the marriage. After his retirement as publicist for Drury Lane, he continued as the theatre's historian until his death. He died in London age 72.
Publications
MacQueen-Pope expounded his views in many books between World War II and 1960. These included Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 1945; Carriages at Eleven, 1947; Haymarket, Theatre of Perfection, 1948; Twenty Shillings in the Pound, 1948; Indiscreet Guide to Theatreland, 1947; Gaiety, Theatre of Enchantment, 1949; The Melodies Linger On, 1950; Ghosts and Greasepaint, 1951; Ivor, The Story of an Achievement, 1951; Ladies First, 1952; Shirt Fronts and Sables, 1953; (with D. L. Murray) Fortune's Favourite: The Life and Times of Franz LéharFranz Lehár
Franz Lehár was an Austrian-Hungarian composer. He is mainly known for his operettas of which the most successful and best known is The Merry Widow .-Biography:...
, 1953; Back Numbers, 1954; Pillars of Drury Lane, 1955; Nights of Gladness, 1956; Give Me Yesterday, 1957; St James's: Theatre of Distinction, 1958; The Footlights Flickered, 1959; and Goodbye Piccadilly
Piccadilly Theatre
The Piccadilly Theatre is a West End theatre located at 16 Denman Street, behind Piccadilly Circus and adjacent to the Regent Palace Hotel, in the City of Westminster, England.-Early years:Built by Bertie Crewe and Edward A...
, 1960, his autobiography, posthumously published.