King, Hetty, 1883 - 1972
Dates
- Existence: 21 April 1883 - 28 September 1972
Biography
Winifred Emms aka Hetty King was a music hall performer and male impersonator born on 21 April 1883 in New Brighton, Cheshire.
Hetty’s father, was William Emms (1856–1954), a comedian and musician who performed as Billy King and travelled a minstrel show. Hetty, started to perform with her father’s company aged six, imitating popular performers of the day, and by the time she was twenty-two, she was regularly appearing as a male impersonator.
During the First World War, she toured in France and Belgium entertaining the troops, performed in fundraisers and gave shows for wounded soldiers.
Hetty spent her whole life on stage and became one of Britain’s best known music hall performers. She toured extensively around Britain, the United States, Australia and South Africa.
Hetty died in London on 28 September 1972, aged 89.
Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:
Bill Barnes Collection
Programmes, posters and photographs mainly related to the Poole family's travelling Myriorama show.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Derby Castle Programme, August 1908
Douglas, Isle of Man. Black illustration of a couple dancing on a yellow background on the front cover, inside dance programme, Hetty King, Derby Castle Opera House, Vernon's Bioscope, Zena Date & Seymour Hicks and the the London Company in The Gay Gordons, 2p.p.
North Pier New Pavilion Programme, 1964
Blackpool. Bernard Delfont presents Show Time, Mike and Bernie Winters, Jimmy Tarbuck, Ken Morris and Joan Savage, Danny Williams, Hetty King, Randolph Sutton, Printed by Brown & Son (Ringwood) Ltd., Ringwood, Hampshire, and at 44/46 Kingsway, London, 8p.p.
Programmes , 1881 - 2016
Pre-Film and variety and music hall programmes mainly related to the travelling shows of Joseph Poole and Harry Poole, Harry H. Hamilton, Mapleston Brothers and Adams but it also includes other showmen.
Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999
Circus, magic and variety show programmes including the Great Ohmy Circus, John Sanger Circus, Bertram Mills Circus and variety shows at various locations in Blackpool, London, Manchester and other theatres in England. Some of the variety performers showcased are Morecambe and Wise, Hetty King, Mae West, Bob Hope, Shirley Bassey, Larry Lamb and Cliff Richards.