 |
| Madge Titheradge |
Who is the most famous and well known Titheridge / Titheradge?
It has to be Madge Titheradge the famous actress who lived from 1887 – 1961.
Madge was the daughter of George Sutton Titheradge and his second wife Alma Maria Johanna Santon. Margaret Naomi Titheradge (Madge) was born on 2 July 1887 in Melbourne, Australia and was one of seven children of the marriage; she also had two step brothers and a step sister from George’s first marriage (Henry Augustus Lionel born 1873, Sutton Wallace born 1877 and Henriette Louise born 1875). George and Alma’s children were Lillian born in Richmond, Surrey, England in 1877, Sylvia, Frances and Evelyn born in Australia in 1882, 1883 and 1885 respectively. Then came Madge born 1887, followed by Alexandra Nina born 1888 and only son Dion born 1889, all born in Australia.
Madge was born into a theatrical family, George Sutton Titheradge was a famous Victorian actor well known in England, Australia, India and America. Alma was also an actress and had met George while they were both acting for the same theatre company. Madge spent her childhood in Australia and it is known that Madge and her sisters spent some time at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in Victoria. We also know she received some schooling in St Anne’s School, Soho London, where the Reverend Rosslyn Bruce set up special classes for children performing in the London theatre, with lessons at times to fit in with rehearsals and performances.
 |
Madge Titheradge and Lewis Waller
in "Butterfly on the Wheel" |
By the age of just 15 Madge was in London and embarking on her theatrical career. She made her first appearance on the stage in a Christmas matinee in 1902 at the Garrick Theatre in “The Water Babies” by Charles Kinsley. Her early career was spent in England where she joined Cyril Maude playing in principal London theatres in roles including Lisa in Faust and Princess Katherine in King Henry V... In 1908 she joined the Lewis Waller Company as the leading lady. Between 1911 and 1913 she was touring USA and Canada and amongst her achievements at this time she created the leading role of Peggy Admaston in The Butterfly on the Wheel with Lewis Waller. She returned to Australia on the stage just before the First World War in May 1913. December 1914 saw her back in London appearing in Peter Pan at the Duke of York Theatre. This is when she first met Noel Coward, then aged 15, who was playing Slightly to Madge’s role of Peter Pan. During World War 1 she appeared in many London productions including, The Admirable Crichton, Gamblers All and The Passing of the Third Floor Back and in December 1916 she played Aladdin in the pantomime at Drury Lane. Two of her appearances in the late 1920s were in plays by Noel Coward, “The Queen was in the Parlour” and “Home Chat”. In all we have records of her appearing in excess of 50 plays in England, America and Australia.
She left the stage for 5 years from 1928 but made her return in 1932. The return was due to the fact that her husband lost a lot of money in the Wall Street Crash. The following year she acted in Proscenium opposite Ivor Novello. On her return to the stage she was directed by Noel Coward in “Theatre Royal” and Jacques Deval’s “Mademoiselle”. She was in poor health and suffering pain during “Mademoiselle” and after one more play in 1938 she retired.
 |
Madge Titheradge as Julie Cavendish
in "Theatre Royal" |
She also went to California and starred in nine films, mainly between 1919 and 1920. These included Brigadier Gerard, Her Story and David and Jonathon
She gained a great reputation as a dramatic and emotional actress, yet she was also an excellent comedienne. She had a wonderful voice, perfect diction, great sincerity, a lovely face, an exquisite figure and a flair for clothes.
On 8 March 1910 Madge married fellow actor Charles Quartermaine, an actor who appeared in films in 1910s, 1920s and 1930s...Her friend the Rev Rosslyn married them. The Times reported
“At Holy Trinity Sloane Street yesterday afternoon Mr Charles Quartermaine married Miss Madge Titheradge. The bride, who was given away by Mr Cyril Maude, wore a paquin gown of soft white Liberty satin, the skirt having a panel in front of silver tissue embroidered in a design of silver roses. Miss Angela du Maurier, wearing a white muslin frock, was train bearer and there were also four bridesmaids – Miss Marie Lohr, Miss Frances Titheradge, Miss Beatrice Terry and Miss Rosalie Toller. Mr Dawson Milward was best man”. There was a photograph in the press showing the crowds who had turned up to watch the glamorous spectacle of the Edwardian star’s wedding which was attended by the leading young ladies of the London Theatre.
Charles and Madge were divorced in 1919. Madge’s second marriage took place in 1928 to wealthy businessman Edgar Park. Edgar was an American millionaire who fell in love with her when he saw her playing in Ibsen’s Dolls House in London. There are no known children from either marriage.
She made her home in Fetcham (near Leatherhead) Surrey England and lived there from 1937 until her death at Fetcham on 14 November 1961 at the age of 74.
The report of her death in The Surrey County Reporter says
ACTRESS DIES AT FETCHAM
Noel Coward and Gladys Cooper were frequent visitors to the Fetcham home of actress Madge Titheradge, who died Tuesday, aged 74. Miss Titheradge appeared in many West End productions, often with actors and actresses whose names have become household words. She first appeared at the Garrick Theatre in 1902 in the The Water Babies. She moved to her home in the Street, Fetcham in 1937 with her husband the late Edgar Parks. Yesterday (Wednesday) her relatives received a letter of tribute from Dame Sybil Thorndike who was one of her closest friends. A memorial service is being held today at St Johns Church, Woking.
Is she related to us? The answer is yes distantly - Mike’s third cousin three times removed
Are you related to Madge? If so please post a comment and tell us what you know about our most famous Titheradge.
