Lydia Thompson

"This is a thorough biography, chronicling the life of an important though somewhat neglected figure and rich in data. It introduces valuable information about Thompson as well as a wealth of primary source material." -- Elizabeth Reitz Mullenix, Theatre Journal"The strength of this book is its detailed performance history, a history that makes clear that Thompson--far less "blonde" then [sic] she appears in legend--was no minor actress either before she crossed the Atlantic or after her American success." -- Elizabeth Reitz Mullenix, Theatre Journal"Thompson's story is told most completely here and might certainly compel the undergraduate student and theatre aficionado." -- Elizabeth Reitz Mullenix, Theatre Journal"An atmosphere of empathy and admiration penetrates Ganzl's depiction of this actress's career, from her boomtown days in a touring burlesque company ("British Blondes") to her last performance as Duchess of Albuquerque in Ruy Blas's A Queen's Romance." -- American Theater

• Introduction Lydia Thompson: Queen of Burlesque; Chapter 1 The Family Album; Chapter 2 Airy Fairy Lydia; Chapter 3 The Big Time; Chapter 4 Back to Britain; Chapter 5 Provinces and Plays; Chapter 6 Oh! That Devilish Man; Chapter 7 Over the Seas to Superstardom; Chapter 8 Niblo’s Nights; Chapter 9 On the Road; Chapter 10 Schemes and Schisms; Chapter 11 All Over Again; Chapter 12 How Do You Follow That…?; Chapter 13 Exit a Husband; Chapter 14 Final Flutterings;