«Breaking News» Remarkable rags-to-riches story of forgotten Victorian child star

The remarkable rags-to-riches story of a Victorian child actress who became a countess is revealed in a new exhibition. 

Connie Gilchrist performed in pantomimes and burlesque shows as a youngster and become a well-known face on the London cultural scene. 

One picture of her playing a stringed instrument, painted by Frederic Leighton in a work called the Music Lesson, has re-emerged in an exhibition as a symbol of her stardom.

It was painted at what was described as her 'Britain's Got Talent moment' as she rose to stardom in Victorian theatre, the Observer reported. 

This picture of Victorian child star Connie Gilchrist playing a stringed instrument, painted by Frederic Leighton in a work called the Music Lesson, became a symbol of her stardom

Gilchrist shot to fame at the Drury Lane Theatre in the West End at around the time the painting was made in 1877. 

Known as a 'Gaiety Girl', she starred in Christmas pantomimes and also played maid Marian in a version of Robin Hood. 

She married in 1892 and became the Countess of Orkney, living quietly with her husband in Buckinghamshire. 

Connie Gilchrist, pictured, performed in pantomimes and burlesque shows as a youngster and become a well-known face on the London cultural scene

Katty Pearce of the Guildhall Art Gallery told the newspaper: 'She was painted several times, even before her fame at the Drury Lane theatre, which took off around the time of the painting and was really like her Britain's Got Talent moment.

'Connie had been pushed into celebrity by her mother, it seems, in the hope she would be able to pull the family out of poverty - which she eventually did'. 

The painting features in an exhibition at the gallery in the City of London about Victorian attitudes to childhood.  

The exhibition organisers said on their website: 'Throughout the 19th century, attitudes towards children changed across the whole of society. 

'Traditionally seen as small adults, they came to be viewed with greater empathy and in need of special protection, whatever their background. 

'They were seen simply as children, with a right to play, learn and explore. The concept of childhood became popular with artists and art enthusiasts alike. 

'Depictions of childhood innocence and domestic happiness provided a welcome distraction from the turbulence of an ever-changing world, and artists did not shy away from portraying the full range of emotions connected to childhood and parenting.' 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/02/remarkable-rags-to-riches-story-of-forgotten-victorian-child-star/
Main photo article The remarkable rags-to-riches story of a Victorian child actress who became a countess is revealed in a new exhibition. 
Connie Gilchrist performed in pantomimes and burlesque shows as a youngster and become a well-known face on the London cultural scene. 
One picture of her playing a stringed i...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca





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