Florence Eliza Collingbourne (January 1880 – 8 July 1946) was a British actress, singer and stage beauty known for her appearances in Edwardian musical comedies."London Theatrical Topics". The New York Times, 7/7/1901.Tracy C. Davis and Peter Holland (eds), The Performing Century: Nineteenth-Century Theatre's History, Palgrave MacMillan (2009) - Google Books p. 89 One of George Edwardes' Gaiety Girls, she took over the title role in San ToyWearing (1890s), p. 427 and originated the role of Nancy Staunton in The Toreador.
Life and career Collingbourne was born in Camberwell in London in 1880,England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 for Florence Eliza Collingbourne: 1880, Q1-Jan-Feb-Mar - Ancestry.com the daughter of Maria Eleanor née Witham (1858–1888) and Henry Ashdown Collingbourne (1859-), a printer's labourer.1881 England Census for Florence Collingbourn: London, Camberwell - Ancestry.com London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 for Florence Eliza Collingbourne: Southwark, St Giles, Camberwell, 1879-1897 - Ancestry.com Her mother died when she was 8 years old, following which she was raised by her aunt and uncle.Brief biography of Florence Collingbourne - National Portrait Gallery, London She was living alone in Camberwell in 1901.1901 England Census for Florence Collingbourne: London, Camberwell - Ancestry.com
Her stage appearances include a series of Edwardian musical comedies produced by George Edwardes, such as A Greek Slave at Daly's Theatre (1898)Photograph of Collingbourne in A Greek Slave (1898) - Victoria and Albert Museum and Gladys Stourton in A Gaiety Girl at the Gaiety Theatre (1899). 'Miss Florence Collingbourne in A Gaiety Girl (1899) - The Sketch, 9 August 1899, p. 115 She originated the small role of Yung Shi (and later took over the title role) in San Toy at Daly's (1899–1900), Girl in The Wicked Uncle at the Gaiety (1900)Wearing (1900s), p. 38 and Nancy Staunton in The Toreador at the Gaiety (1901–1902).Photograph of Collingbourne in The Toreador - National Portrait Gallery, LondonThomas S. Hischak, The Mikado to Matilda: British Musicals on the New York Stage, Rowman & Littlefield (2020) - Google Books p. 276
She left the production to marry Laurence Margetson (1874–1928), a hosiery manufacturer,England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 for Florence Collingbourne: 1902, Q2-Apr-May-Jun - Ancestry.com with whom she had three children: William Laurence Margetson (1902–1992); Colleen Mary Margetson (1908–1995), and the novelist and writer Stella Margetson (1912–1992).Ada Reeve (1876-1966) - Stage Beauty website1911 England Census for Florence Margetson: London, Hampstead - Ancestry.com After her marriage she retired from acting. In 1906 she briefly came out of retirement to appear in a farewell benefit for Emily Soldene at the Palace Theatre, London with Seymour Hicks and Rutland Barrington among others where she sang 'L'Ete' by Madame Chaminade.Programme for 'The Emily Soldene Farewell Matinee' at the Palace Theatre, London, 13 November 1906 In her later years she lived at The Holdynge, Aldwick Avenue in Bognor Regis in Sussex.
Collingbourne died aged 66 at the District Hospital in Dorking in Surrey in 1946. In her will she left £27,306 7s 9d to her children.England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Florence Margetson: 1946 - Ancestry.com
References
Sources Wearing, J. P. The London Stage 1890–1899: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel, Rowman & Littlefield (2013) Wearing, J. P. The London Stage 1900–1909: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel, Rowman & Littlefield (2014)
External links Photographic portraits of Florence Collingbourne - National Portrait Gallery, London