['Pam Chelsea', 1920s London entertainer.] Autograph Magazine Article, signed ('(MR) Pam Chelsea'), titled '"On Tour" | A Magic Phrase - & what It means to The Small Theatrical Artiste' (on those working in small revues, concert parties, road shows).

No information regarding 'Pam Chelsea' (female impersonator?) has been discovered, but the appearance of the document, and its presence in a batch of material relating to 1920s entertainment and broadcasting, date it to that period. 5pp, folio. 'No. of words. 1,063.' Written in a bold hand. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The article was clearly accepted for publication, as '£1 11. 6 paid' is written at the top of the first page, and '5 line drop cap' at the start of the article. In addition there are a few minor editorial emendations in pencil, and the deletion of the following passage, no doubt for reasons of propriety: 'But the small Revue girl gets no suppers or dinners after her show or queues of gallant admirers surrounding the Stage Door. | If she is very lucky she might be honoured with an Invitation to a "fish & chip" supper, with the "Sheik" of the local pit or factory.' Written in an entertaining energetic style, beginning: '"Your life is just one big joke"! | A provincial landlady recently passed this remark in all seriousness to some girls appearing in a Touring Revue, & was genuinely amazed that they received it with indignation.' The author's subject is 'the people working in the small Revues, Concert Parties and "Road Shows" (our modern name for the Music Hall or Variety bill) that are always touring our smaller provincial towns and large villages'. He considers them 'possibly the most optimistic people in the world; why, exactly it is hard to say, for goodness knows they have little enough to be optimistic about'. He describes their lifestyle: travel, 'digs', 'Draughty Stages, & cold dressing rooms', 'the tragedy of "bad business"' ('very usual in these modern days with their countless attractions of Wireless, & Super Cinemas & I believe the Talking films are already beginning to invade the smaller towns'), inadequate salary. He praises the loyalty of the 'small artiste', in the face of weeks without work. 'All professionals, someone once said to me, are like great children [...] No doubt the lucky ones who manage to get into London productions (I suppose we all dream of seeing our names in flashing electric lights) & even those in the number of Touring Companies, visiting the big provincial Towns, find the path easier altho even then the life is not a bed of roses.' He concludes with an extended answer to the question, 'Why not give up a life so full of hardships & discomfort'.