This picture of Elizabeth “Bessie” Nathan was sent to Mr and Mrs Davies who were landlords of  The New Inn, St James’ Square,  Monmouth between 1880 and 1882.

Their great granddaughter, Monica Leat, inherited two photograph albums and had often wondered who some of the people were. I wrote an article for the Gwent Family History Society Journal and in it I said that I was lucky because I had one photograph of my great grandmother. I gave her name, Elizabeth Guilfoyle, and said that she was an actress and that her stage name was Bessie Nathan.

Within days I was contacted by Monica and she gave me permission to copy two of the pictures.

From newspaper reports and reviews I am sure that in the first picture Bessie is in the costume of a character called Madge from the play titled “Nobody’s Claim”.

Bessie’s husband, Charles Guilfoyle-Seymour, purchased the rights to the play together with printing, scenery and properties from Mr Calder in 1886. This we know because of an advertisement in The Era on 11th December 1886.

In February 1887 the Belfast Telegraph reviewed the play which was being performed at The Theatre Royal, Belfast.

“By special arrangement with mr Wm Calder, the American drama, entitled “Nobody’s Claim,” by Mr A. Locke, was produced last night at the Theatre Royal, and received an exceedingly hearty reception. The play represents border life in the far West, the plot for the most part depicting the search for, and annihilation of, a band of desperadoes known as the “Owls,” with their Chief, Mendoza, which is successfully carried out, albeit through many vicissitudes, by Ward Devereux (we presume Colonel), of the U.S. Army. Interpolated with this highly interesting story are many amusing scenes, foremost among which are those in which Calademus Phipps, a negro servant, and Major O’Finn McWaddington of the Ballingar Blazers, take part. The coloured individual is represented by Mr Fred Percy, who never ceases to be amusing throughout. Indeed, to take this gentleman either as an actor, singer or dancer it would be difficult to recall his superior in his particular line of business. Mr C. Guilfoyle Seymour, under whose management the play is produced, and who undertakes the part of the Major, fills the part of this military gentleman to perfection, and keeps the audience in roars of laughter while he is on the stage. Mr C.W. Spencer gives a vigorous rendering of Ward Devereux, as does Mr S. Shorey of the King of the Owls, Mendosa. Miss Bessie Nathan is vivacious as Madge, Miss Sophie Miles amusing as Medues and Miss Annie Travers sympathetic as Lilian Heywood. The other members of the company are all capable. In the mounting of the play Mr Warden has gone to considerable trouble and expense to good purpose.