Gwen Farrar (July 14, 1899 - December 25, 1944): elisa_rolle

Gwen Farrar was one of the six daughters of George Farrar and his wife, Ella. Gwendoline Farrar qualified in violoncello playing, and was entitled to use the letters L.R.A.M. Indeed, she was billed as such when performing at two concerts at the Electric Theatre, Newport Pagnell, which included Gervase Elwes, a world renowned tenor. During the. closing stages of the war, with Miss Norah Blaney, a singer and pianist, Gwen performed at concerts and entertainments for the troops in France and Belgium, and the pair continued their partnership after the war, appearing at leading theatres all over the country, including London. In fact she soon became celebrated as a world class entertainer and a brilliant cellist, who delighted “in making weird noises with her voice much to the discomfort of her partner,” Norah. In 1926 they went to New York to perform, and having begun a short professional partnership with Billy Mayerl, a popular pianist, it was due to her organisation that in March 1928, on the evenings of Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th an excellent variety entertainment took place in the Electric Theatre, Newport Pagnell. Here she sang syncopated songs, imitated animals and poultry in the farmyard, and then played the cello. In fact despite her excellent musicianship her act always had a comical element, and for the theatrical effect she would sometimes go off the stage dragging her cello behind her, or slung over her shoulder! A few years after the war her mother, Lady Farrar, died at Chicheley Hall, from internal injuries sustained whilst moving furniture, in preparation for a children's party, and although some of Gwen's sisters would continue to live at the mansion, she, having been left a considerable financial sum by her father, divided her time between her XVII century country home in Northants, and 217 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EH, which she maintained as a base for he musical career. Renowned as a popular entertainer, she died after a short illness on Christmas Day 1944.

Timeline & Places:

• July 14, 1899: born at Chicheley Hall, Chicheley Rd, Newport Pagnell MK16 9JJ, Regno Unito

• 1920s to 1944: lived at 217 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EH, Regno Unito

• December 25, 1944: died.

References:

Queer Places, Vol. 2.1: Retracing the Steps of LGBTQ people around the World
ISBN-13: 978-1532906312 (CreateSpace-Assigned)
ISBN-10: 1532906315
CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/6228833
Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1532906315/?tag=elimyrevandra-20
Amazon kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IZ1KZBO/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

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Gwen Farrar (July 14, 1899 - December 25, 1944)

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