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This page is dedicated to Madge Temple, a musical star of the early twentieth century.

She was born Alice Anne Skinner in Paddington, London, in about 1875. Her parents were Charles Skinner and Isabella Kezia Cock. They were married on 29th January 1866. Charles Skinner, 23, was a painters labourer, from Marylebone, Middlesex, while Isabella Skinner was 24, and from New Cross, Surrey.

Alice, aged 20, married Henry Frederick Hermann Asche, aged 24, a waiter, on 6th October 1895 in Marylebone, London. She and Henry divorced (possibly in 1903).

She married Herman Edouard Darewski in Paddington, London, in 1914 (Herman was Bridlington's Musical Director from 1924 to 1939, apart from a couple of years when he led an orchestra in London. For a short while he was also at Blackpool).

In 1906, Madge was starring at the Coliseum in London. A magazine cutting I have shows her in her Humber car, the caption of which states: "Miss Madge Temple, who performs three times daily at the Coliseum, is now enabled, by means of her Humber car, to drive home in the intervals, instead of, as heretofore, being compelled to spend a considerable time at the theatre waiting her 'turn,' rather than risk the journey by slower and less reliable means of locomotion."

Madge Temple was on stage at the Empire Theatre, Croydon, starting on 25th November 1907. While appearing there, she was about to go into the theatre when she was stopped by two men at the stage door. One said: "I arrest you in the King's name." She sent for her husband, who found that the men wanted £18 in cash or they would take Madge into custody. The money was found and Madge was handed a receipt headed: "Inland Revenue v Madge Temple." Madge had earlier claimed that she was over-assessed and had informed the authorities but knew nothing of this subsequent action.

It was reported in December 1908, that "Madge Temple wears a hat at the Coliseum (London), which is 14ft round, and cost £120." Another source adds: "It is trimmed with fifteen ostrich feathers, each two yards long and 100 pounds each." [There seems to be a discrepancy here. Is the 100 pounds the weight of each ostrich feather? Or the cost of each feather? Either way, the figures don't seem to add up. - Mike]

In January 1910, Madge was photographed (see below) in her aviation costume, "ready to fly her British MV biplane."

Madge had a contract with the London Pavilion to appear as The Musical Comedy Queen (I have the sheet of paper). For two weeks commencing 25th April 1910 she would be paid £19.00 per week (six night performances), for three weeks commencing 4th September 1911 she would also be paid £19.00 per week, and she would again receive £19.00 for two weeks from 25th March 1912. Whether this contract was fulfilled I have yet to discover. [Apparently, £19 in 1910 is worth £1444 in 2012. - Mike]

Madge was on the bill on 24th July and 31st July 1911 when she appeared at The Oxford Theatre in London.

In December 1911, Madge Temple featured among the entertainers at the Royal Aero Club annual dinner at the Royal Automobile Club.

The following year, on 11th May, Madge appeared at a Gigantic Combination Matinee in aid of the Titanic Fund at the Leeds Grand. Later in 1912, Madge Temple appeared at the Hippodrome, Brighton, along with the famous actor Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. A handbill declares Madge to be: "The Brilliant Star!" "With Melodious Song Successes."

Madge was a big star in Australia, and appeared at the Tivoli Theatre, in Adelaide. 

The Wairarapa Daily Times reported on 12th April 1913 that "Miss Madge Temple, billed as 'The Fashion Plate of Vaudeville,' made her first appearance at the Tivoli on Saturday. She proved an attractive, charmingly dressed lady, who sings in a clever and captivating way."

An Australian report published on 14th June 1913 says: "Miss Madge Temple is an artist of rare talent and is known as 'the Fashion Plate of Vaudeville.' Her frocks are both 'rich and rare,' and she wears them with consummate grace."

I have a flyer where her name is top of the bill for the week commencing Saturday, 21st June, 1913. She received a letter at the theatre from Adeline Genee Isitt, a famous ballet dancer of the time. Madge was scheduled to make an eight-week tour, but this was extended.

During the tour, some Melbourne oysters made her ill, to the extent that the doctor went so far as to express grave doubts as to her recovery. A comment in The Advertiser said: ". . . oysters were very nearly responsible for the premature end of a brilliant vaudeville career."

Prior to her appearances at the Tivoli, Madge visited South Africa with her husband (I can't understand this reference to 'husband,' as she didn't marry Herman until 1914 and was already divorced from husband No.1). One of the military officers accompanying them left the protection of the native beaters and was faced with a lion. The officer fired and missed. The animal was nearly upon him when Madge fired at the lion. She missed too but the shot scared the lion and all escaped safely.

Madge also told the story of an incident while she was playing Soo-Soo in The Chinese Honeymoon. "I had a rather sharp attack of indigestion, and I consulted a doctor, who promised to send me a powder. He sent it along to the theatre, and it was given to my maid. I was on the stage, and the maid was bringing it to me, when she fell over a projecting piece of scenery and spilt it. When I came off at the conclusion of the set there was the doctor, as white as death, with the announcement that he had made a mistake, and that the powder the maid had spilt would have been sufficient to kill fifty people."

As Mrs Herman Darewski she is listed on the passenger list aboard the S.S. Olympic, sailing from Southampton to New York on Wednesday, 13th February, 1929.

Madge Temple put her signature on a programme for Midnight Frolic, at New Amsterdam Theatre. The Midnight Frolic started on Monday, 25th February, 1929.

On 12th April 1929, Madge Darewski is listed as arriving in Southampton as a first class passenger from New York on the White Star liner Olympic. Noted as "Proposed address in the United Kingdom" is Talbot Mews, W.C.

Madge and Herman had two sons, Neville Lawrence Temple Darewski and Barrie Randal Darewski. Neville was killed in Italy during World War II on 15th November 1944, while Barrie died in 1996. Barrie was named after J. M. Barrie, famous for creating the character Peter Pan.

Madge died in Sheffield in 1943, aged 62.

Among the pieces she sang were:
Darby and Joan, 1.8.1906 (With Albert Whelan)
In your old sunbonnet, 19.8.1911
Kiss, Kiss, 30.9.1911.
Somebody Else, 30.9.1911.
Come Be My Rainbow, 1918.

Madge Temple. This is an original photograph among a box of Herman Darewski memorabilia bought at Spencer's Auctions, Bridlington, in 2011.	Madge Temple on a postcard from 1909.
On the back of the card: "Miss Madge Temple, the famous Musical Comedy Star, in her charming aeroplane costume."	Madge Temple by Chas Carlin. I have this original watercolour.
Madge Temple as she appeared at the Coliseum on 12th February, 1906. She appears here as Fenella, the lead in "an original romantic operetta." This is a page from The Bystander, 21st February, 1906.	Another card featuring Madge Temple.
Noel Denholm Davis was a famous painter of his time. He painted this in September 1904. He was born in 1876 and died in 1950. Twelve of his paintings are on display at Nottingham City Museum and Gallery. I wonder where he met Madge.	Another studio photograph of Madge Temple.
Madge Temple on a cigarette card.	Miss Madge Temple features on the front of sheet music.
A postcard featuring Madge Temple.	Another Madge Temple postcard
Madge Temple and Herman Darewski. An original photograph from the Spencer's Auctions sale.	Miss Madge Temple

I wonder which year this was?

This poster was in the box of Herman Darewski ephemera purchased at Spencer's Auctions in 2011.

I am still looking for photographs and postcards featuring Madge Temple.

Any further information about her would be appreciated.

Madge Temple signed this photograph in 1911. Isn't she a bonny lass?

Another nice postcard of Madge.

Mike Wilson