Old Mother Riley

Many people were in tears at the internment of Arthur Lucan (Old Mother Riley) at Eastern Cemetary, Hull, this afternoon, as the coffin was lowered at his stage clothes were thrown on top.

Around the graveside were gathered members of the cast of Arthur's Tivoli Theatre show, relatives and friends.

Father C. G. Clifford performed the last rites and officiated at a short service at St Patrick's Church. There was a large congregation and a large crowd gathered outside the church.

LAST TRIBUTES TO ARTHUR LUCAN

Colleagues in show business attended the funeral service in Hull today of Mr Arthur Lucan (67), well known as Old Mother Riley. Mr lucan collapsed and died in the wings of the Tivoli Theatre while waiting his entry cue on Monday night and died 10 minutes later in the star dressing room without gaining consciousness.

Requium Mass at St Patrick's Church, Hull, was celebrated by Father C. G. Clifford, assisted by Father D. Ryan.

COLLEAGUES PRESENT

Chief mourners were : Mrs Arthur Lucan (Kitty McShane), Dr Donald Towle (son),Mr William Breach (Miss McShane's manager) and Miss Maisie Munro (Mr Lucan's dresser).

The cast of the Tivoli show, "Old Mother Riley in Paris", were represented by C. W. Ingram (show manager), Ellis Ashton, Marcia Speller, Sonia Hart, Bob Grayson, George Wilder, Lewis and Anton,and Dimitri Tschakaloff (musical director).

HULL PEOPLE PRESENT

Others present include : Mrs T. Scott (Nina Rathbone, who was a friend of Mr and Mrs Lucan), Mr T. Scott, Mrs A. Kemp, Mrs I. Speed, Mrs M. Holt, Mrs C. Roper, Mr J. B. Earley, Mrs C. Sullivan, Miss M. Kenney, Mr E. Welburn, Mrs C. Dick, Mrs V. M. Nolan, Mrs E.Cornerford, Mrs A. Stewart, Mrs E. Harbour, Mr J. Welbur, Mr J. W. Donkin, Miss M. Bones, Mrs J Stephenson, Mrs V. Smith, Mr E. Newton, Miss M. McKenzie, Mr F. S. Shakesby, Mr D. dennis, Miss A. Carey, Miss M. E. Yates, Miss M Devlin, Mrs E. Morrison, Mrs E Stow, , Miss G. Hewitt, Mrs C. S. Elgey, Mrs E. Miller, Mrs J. Barrett, Mrs M. Wray, Mrs B. Paulls, Mrs E. Hadley,Mrs B. Kirk, Mrs H. Sherman, Mrs L.Dyer, Mrs E. Cragg, Mrs M. Smelt, Mrs C. Birkett, Mrs C. Webster, Mrs M. Hindley, Mrs B. Buckley, Mrs L. Manners, Mrs C. Tommins, Mr J. C. McHugh, Mrs B. Bond, Mrs M. Baker, Mr W. Smith, Mrs L. Johnson,Mrs E. King, Mrs V. Kay, Mrs T. Barker, Miss A. Brown, Miss W. M. Milledge,Mrs M. Nolan, Mrs M. Sokie, Mrs R. Borrill, Mrs L. Jackson, Mrs M. Dale, Mrs L. Espin, Mr A. H. Robinson, former assistant manager, Tivoli Theatre, Mrs E. coultas, Mrs D. Cariss, Mrs H. E. Throstle, Mrs M. O'Malley, Mrs P. Kelly, Mrs M. Laverack, Mrs C. Ringham, Mrs L. Lee, Mrs L. Hinchliffe, Mrs N. Streets, Mrs F. Reed, Miss E. Tighe, Mrs M. I. Lyon, Mrs L. Monday, Mrs P. Padgett, Mrs R. Harksey, Mrs M. Hindley, Mrs A. Carlill, Mrs E. Roper, Mrs L. Dinsdale, Mrs J. Forster, Mrs M. McBidge, Mrs F. Hair, Mrs E. Hewitt, Mrs C. Dennis, Mrs B. Haycock, Mrs E. Penna, Mrs M. Dawson, Mrs A. Izzard, Miss C. Tighe, Mrs A. Burns, Mirs E. Metheringham, Miss L. Robinson, Mrs E. Shields, Mrs A. Wright, Mrs W. Bowle, Mrs D. Wilde, Mrs E. Riley, Mrs E. Boughen, Mrs D. Stead, Mrs E. Houlden and Mrs D. Cooper.

Continued

TOP

HOME

This site was created and is maintained by Martyn Peter Wilkinson.

Quotes and images not my own remain in the copyright of the originator or else in the public domain. The information contained in this web site is intended for entertainment, educational, historical, and informational purposes only.

Arthur Lucan/Old Mother Riley Yahoo! Discussion eGroup...to join now enter you email address in the box below

The Funeral - Hull Daily Mail article from Saturday 22 May 1954

STAGEFOLK PAY TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR LUCAN

Variety artists, relatives and friends attended the internment of Mrarthur Lucan (Old Mother Riley) at Eastern Cemetary, Hull, yesterday, following Requim Mass at St Patrick's Church.

After the coffin had been lowered into the grave, Mr Lucan's stage clothes were placed on top of it.

Family mourners were Mrs Arthur Lucan (Kitty McShane), Dr Donald Towle (son),Mr William Breach (Miss McShane's manager) Miss Kates Ladds (sister), Mr George Towle (brother), Miss Elsie Ladds (neice), Mrs M Bryant (neice), Mr Arthur Ladds (nephew), Miss Maisie Munro (dresser), and Mr Roy Rolland (Lucan's chief understudy).

The Tivoli Theatre company of "Old Mother Riley in Paris" were represented by Mr C. W. Ingram (show manager), Ellis Ashton (Variety Artists' Federation), Arthur Bega Grand Order of Water Rats) Marcia Speller, Sonia Hart, Bob Grayson, George Wilder, Lewis and Anton, Dimintri Tschakaloff (musical director), Frank Seton (representing British Equity), Jimmy Grant, Mrs Jimmy Grant, Gale Dawn, Mrs Estelle Dawn, Patricia Derson, Shelley Rogers, Anita Dobie, Janet Karel, Diana Chapman, Penelope Dobie and Diana Floodgate.

The Tivoli Theatre were represented by Mr Harold Clarke (managing director), Mr Charles Ford (musical director), Miss E. Newmarsh (manageress) and Mrs M. Beaumont.

The Palace Theatre were represented by : Albert and Les Ward, Mary Naylor (also representing Lady Ratling and also Mr Bunny Doyle), Ernest Arnley (Grand Order of Water Rats), Gloria Day, Arthur Carvey, Reading and Grantley and Audrey Jeans.