Daisy Dormer

Daisy Dormer (born Kezia Beatrice Stockwell, 16 January 1883 – 13 September 1947) was a British music hall performer.[1]

Daisy Dormer
Dormer in 1906
Born
Kezia Beatrice Stockwell

16 January 1883
Southsea, England
DiedSeptember 13, 1947(1947-09-13) (aged 64)
Wandsworth, London
OccupationMusic hall singer
Spouse(s)Albert Jee

Early life

Kezia Beatrice Stockwell was born on 16 January 1883 in Southsea to Mary and Henry John Stockwell.[2]

Career

She started her performing career as Dainty Daisy Dimple and appeared in theatres and music halls under this name[3] until February 1901 when she announced in The Era that she ‘will in future be known as Dainty Daisy Dormer’.[4]

It has been said that Daisy Dormer sang "After the Ball is Over" although this cannot be verified.

The song which launched her career was a Charles Collins and Tom Mellor composition, “I Wouldn’t Leave My Little Wooden Hut For You” which she first sang in 1905.[5]

Works

Her other songs included the following:

  • Hey! Ho! Can't You Hear the Steamer by Harry Gifford and Fred Godfrey
  • Colombo (On My Catamaran) by AJ Mills and Bennett Scott
  • Where the Black-Eyed Susans Grow by Dave Radford and Richard A Whiting
  • Some Sunday Morning by Gus Khan, Raymond Egan and Richard A Whiting
  • When You're A Long, Long Way From Home by Sam M Lewis and Geo W Meyer
  • The Girl in the Clogs and Shawl by Harry Castling and C. W. Murphy
  • There's a Light That's Burning in the Window by Ballard Macdonald, Joe Goodwin & Harry Puck
  • Fares Please! (The Tram-Conductor Girl) by Bert Lee
  • Dancing 'Neath the Irish Moon by Harry Puck and Ballard Macdonald
  • What You've Got, Look After! by Charles Collins and EW Rogers
  • When Will the Sun Shine for Me? by Benny Davis and Abner Silver
  • I Like Your Old French Bonnet by Tom Mellor, Alf J Lawrance and Harry Gifford
  • Why Don't You Come Around and See Me? by Tom Mellor, Alf J Lawrance and Harry Gifford
  • If You Don't Wants Lots of Gold by Tom Mellor, Alf J Lawrance and Harry Gifford

Pantomime

Daisy had a long career in pantomime, appearing as Queen Zaza in "Hop-O'-My-Thumb" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane production in 1911. The cast also included Barry Lupino, Will Evans, George Graves and Violet Loraine. In 1915, Daisy appeared as Principal Girl, Goody, in "Goody Two Shoes" at the Prince's Theatre, Park Row, Bristol. Lupino Lane was also in the cast.[6]

Personal life

She married Albert Jee in April 1908,[7] better known by his stage name, Albert Egbert, one half of the Egbert Brothers.

Death

Daisy Dormer died at her home in Clapham, London on 13 September 1947.[8] She was cremated at Streatham Park Cemetery.[9]

A pretty, waif-like presence, Dormer sang "After the Ball is Over" among other songs. "After the Ball is Over", which was written by Charles K. Harris, helped to establish Tin Pan Alley in the 1890s. The sheet music sold over five million copies in the 1890s.[1]

References
  1. Stevens, Christopher (2010). Born Brilliant: The Life Of Kenneth Williams. John Murray. p. 345. ISBN 1-84854-195-3.
  2. England & Wales Births 1837-2006, vol 2B, page no 551
  3. The Era, 8 December 1894, p.13
  4. The Era, 9 February 1901, p.29
  5. East Anglian Times, 11 November 1905 & The Era, 9 December 1905, p.21
  6. "Goody Two Shoes - Part 1". Music Hall Alice. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  7. England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005, vol. 1D, page no.700
  8. General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume 5d; Page: 497
  9. "Daisy Dormer". The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
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