Walter James MacQueen-Pope (11 April 1888 – 27 June 1960), known familiarly as Popie, was an English theatre historian and publicist. From a theatrical family which could be traced back to contemporaries of Shakespeare,[1] 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.[2] He also described himself as an "authority on pantomime".[3]
Beginning in 1955, MacQueen-Pope gave a series of fifteen-minute talks about the theatre on BBC television, in a show called "Popie".[4]
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.[3] He first worked in a shipping office but became connected with the theatre as private secretary to George Dance, 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.[5]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,[3] 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.[2]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)."[2]
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.[2] 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.[2]
After his retirement as publicist for Drury Lane, he continued as the theatre's historian until his death.
Private life
As Walter J. M. Pope, he married Stella Suzanne Schumann (1886–1973) at Edmonton in 1912.[6][7] There was one daughter of the marriage,[3] whose birth was registered in 1916 as Moya Macqueen-Pope.[8] In 1940, Moya married William A. Sutton at St Pancras, London.[9]
Goodbye Piccadilly, 1960, his autobiography, posthumously published
Notes
^The Guardian Obituary notice, 28 June 1960, p. 7: "An ancestor ran the bear garden in Bankside in 1585, while another, Thomas Pope, a contemporary of Shakespeare, was leading comedian in Burbage's company."
^ abcdeThe Times Obituary notice, 28 June 1960, p. 15
^ abcde"Macqueen-Pope, Walter James" Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2008; online edition, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007, accessed 12 June 2009.
^Radio Times, Volume 130 (G. Newnes, 1956), pp. 18, 21
^The Times, "A Hurricane Sketch. 'The Punctual Sex' At The Coliseum", 16 December 1919, p. 12
^"SCHUMANN Stella S & POPE Walter J M" in Register of Marriages for Edmonton Registration District, vol. 3a (1912), p. 1425
^ ab"MACQUEEN-POPE STELLA SUZANNE 23MR1886" in Register of Deaths for Enfield RD, vol. 5B (1973), p. 350
^"Macqueen-Pope Moya FP / Schumann" in Register of Births for Edmonton RD, vol. 3a (1916), p. 855
^"Sutton William A & Macqueen-Pope Moya F" in Register of Marriages for Pancras Registration District, vol. 1b (1940), p. 163
^MacQueen-Pope Walter James... died 27 June 1960" in Probate Index for 1961, accessed 22 June 2019
^"POPE Walter J M / 72" in Register of Deaths for Westminster Registration District, vol. 5c (1960), p. 359; "MACQUEEN-POPE Walter J / 72" In Register of Deaths for Westminster Registration District, vol. 5c (1960), p. 359
January 20, 2023
macqueen, pope, walter, james, macqueen, pope, april, 1888, june, 1960, known, familiarly, popie, english, theatre, historian, publicist, from, theatrical, family, which, could, traced, back, contemporaries, shakespeare, management, first, part, career, switch. Walter James MacQueen Pope 11 April 1888 27 June 1960 known familiarly as Popie was an English theatre historian and publicist From a theatrical family which could be traced back to contemporaries of Shakespeare 1 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 2 He also described himself as an authority on pantomime 3 Beginning in 1955 MacQueen Pope gave a series of fifteen minute talks about the theatre on BBC television in a show called Popie 4 Contents 1 Biography 2 Private life 3 Publications 4 NotesBiography EditMacQueen 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 3 He first worked in a shipping office but became connected with the theatre as private secretary to George Dance 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 5 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 3 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 After his retirement as publicist for Drury Lane he continued as the theatre s historian until his death Private life EditAs Walter J M Pope he married Stella Suzanne Schumann 1886 1973 at Edmonton in 1912 6 7 There was one daughter of the marriage 3 whose birth was registered in 1916 as Moya Macqueen Pope 8 In 1940 Moya married William A Sutton at St Pancras London 9 Pope died at St George s Hospital Westminster aged 72 his home address being given as 9 Oakdale East Barnet Hertfordshire leaving a modest estate valued at 1 664 10 11 His widow died in 1973 7 Publications EditMacQueen Pope expounded his views in many books between World War II and 1960 These included 3 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 Fortune s Favourite The Life and Times of Franz Lehar 1953 with D L Murray 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 Goodbye Piccadilly 1960 his autobiography posthumously publishedNotes Edit The Guardian Obituary notice 28 June 1960 p 7 An ancestor ran the bear garden in Bankside in 1585 while another Thomas Pope a contemporary of Shakespeare was leading comedian in Burbage s company a b c d e The Times Obituary notice 28 June 1960 p 15 a b c d e Macqueen Pope Walter James Who Was Who A amp C Black 1920 2008 online edition Oxford University Press Dec 2007 accessed 12 June 2009 Radio Times Volume 130 G Newnes 1956 pp 18 21 The Times A Hurricane Sketch The Punctual Sex At The Coliseum 16 December 1919 p 12 SCHUMANN Stella S amp POPE Walter J M in Register of Marriages for Edmonton Registration District vol 3a 1912 p 1425 a b MACQUEEN POPE STELLA SUZANNE 23MR1886 in Register of Deaths for Enfield RD vol 5B 1973 p 350 Macqueen Pope Moya FP Schumann in Register of Births for Edmonton RD vol 3a 1916 p 855 Sutton William A amp Macqueen Pope Moya F in Register of Marriages for Pancras Registration District vol 1b 1940 p 163 MacQueen Pope Walter James died 27 June 1960 in Probate Index for 1961 accessed 22 June 2019 POPE Walter J M 72 in Register of Deaths for Westminster Registration District vol 5c 1960 p 359 MACQUEEN POPE Walter J 72 In Register of Deaths for Westminster Registration District vol 5c 1960 p 359 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title W J MacQueen Pope amp oldid 1082575665, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
