Carlotta Addison

Carlotta Addison (July 1849 - 1914) was a British professional actress who belonged to a theatrical family. She became associated with the works of playwright T W Robertson. Her career was partly established through performing female roles alongside male amateurs.

Personal Life

Her father was Charles Phillips Addison (Haddy) a comedian (died 16 April 1874). Her sister Fanny Addison was also an actress and they often appeared alongside one another. She married Charles La Trobe in September 1876. Carlotta Addison had formed a strong relationship with playwright T W Robertson and attended his funeral in 1872. She also saved a press cutting relating to his death.

Professional Life

Her professional career began in Liverpool. Her professional appearances include:

• 1861 - Theatre Royal Doncaster, 17 May, for the benefit of Miss Fanny Addison and Mr Addison. She played the role of Katie Mapleson in Tom Taylor's comedy Nine Points of the Law. The playbill tells us that this is her 'second appearance on any stage'.
• 1862 - Liverpool Theatre Royal
• 1863 - Doncaster Theatre Royal
• 1865 - Glasgow, 20 November - appeared in T W Robertson's two-act drama David Garrick as Ada Ingot.
• 1865, December, Theatre Royal Bristol. Addison was in the Christmas pantomime.
• 1866, 13 April, Theatre Royal Bristol - for the Benefit of Mr Addison (her father).
• 1869, January, The Prince of Wales's Theatre, London. Addison was in T. W. Robertson's School.
• 1870, January - T. W. Robertson's School at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden.
• 1872, Globe Theatre, London. She appeared in James Albert's Forgiven.

Her appearances alongside amateurs include:

• 1864, 2 February, Theatre Royal Southampton supporting Captain Disney Roebuck and other amateurs. Addison appeared in two of the four pieces, My Daughter's Debut; Or, the Old Man's Darling, and J. H. Morton's farce A Regular Fix.
• 1864, 9 February, Theatre Royal Southampton, supporting Captain Disney Roebuck and other amateurs. She appeared in a one-act comic drama titled A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock, Tom Taylor's comedy Still Waters Run Deep and the farce The Lancashire Weaver.
• 1864, 29 April, the Lyceum Theatre, Sunderland, supporting the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dramatic Society. She is listed as 'Miss Carlotta Addison of the Theatre Royal, Liverpool'. She played Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
• 1865, 25 July, Victoria Rooms, Clifton. Supporting amateurs including Captain Disney Roebuck and Captain Hood. The playbill also includes an unnamed 'distinguished Lady Amateur'. She appeared in T. G. Bowles's Marriage by Command, written for the occasion, and Tom Taylor's Still Water's Run Deep.
• 1868, 27 July, Bijou Theatre, Victoria Hall, Archer Street, London - supporting an amateur dramatic performance. Her sister Fanny Addison was also in the cast. Carlotta appeared in P. Palgrave Simpson's A Fair Pretender, Henry J. Byron's burlesque Ill-Treated Il Trovatore and the farce Whitebait at Greenwich.
• 1868, 3 August, Theatre Royal, Canterbury. Supporting the Canterbury Old Stagers. She appeared in H. T. Craven's drama in two acts, Meg's Diversion, and J. B. Buckstone's comedy in three acts, Married Life. 4 August - she appeared in Charles Dance's one act farce Kill or Cure.
• 1868, 26 August, supporting the Royal Artillery Theatrical Club in the Royal Artillery Recreation Rooms, Woolwich. She appeared in Charles Mathews's comedy in two acts, Used Up, and a one act farce by E. Yates and N. H. Harrington entitled My Friend from Leatherhead!.
• 1871, 26 April, Gaiety Theatre, London. Supporting a grand morning performance of the Military and Naval Amateur Dramatic Society. She performed in the farce The Camp at Chobham and the extravaganza Paddy Murphy; or, An Irishman's Fortunes. Actress Ada Cavendish also appeared alongside the amateurs. The amateur cast included Captain Wingfield.
• 1871, 27 May, Gallery of Illustration, London. Supporting the Military and Naval Amateur Dramatic Society. She appeared in John Tobin's comedy in three acts, The Honeymoon alongside actress Kate Rivers.
• 1871, 8 August, Theatre Royal, Canterbury. She appeared in Sheridan's three act comedy The Rivals and J. M. Morton's one act farce Going to the Derby.
• 1874, 3 August, Theatre Royal, Canterbury. Supporting the Old Stagers in H. J. Byron's three act comedy War to the Knife, and a one act comedy titled Tears.

Along with her husband, Charles La Trobe, and their daughter, Victoria, they founded the Addison Amateur Dramatic Club on 17 June 1897 at their home of 134 Lexham Gardens, South Kenisngton. In January 1899 the President is Carlotta Addison (La Trobe), the Vice-President is Miss Victoria Addison and the Stage Manager is Charles La Trobe, Esq.