| Main Performers | Thorpe Bates - vocal
Mr Henry Lytton,
Mr Leo Sheffield,
Mr Derek Oldham,
Mr Darrell Fancourt - punch servers |
| Orchestra or Band | Corelli Windeatt's Orchestra (120 players) |
| Set List | 23:00 Supper (in the gallery),
00:00 'Toast Song - Here's a Health Unto His Majesty', A Wimperis (Thorpe Bates) |
| Royal Presence | HRH Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyll),
Prince Djemaleddin |
| Performance Notes | "It is expected that all the prominent figures in social, artistic, and theatrical circles will attend a wedding ball which is to be held at the Albert Hall on the night of February 28. Corelli Windeatt's orchestra will play, and the features of the evening will include an original scheme of decorations and a series of groups representing brides and bridegrooms of various periods of history. Mrs Blakeney Ward, the artist, who is painting a portrait of Princess Mary as a wedding gift from the Society of Women Artists, has given a canvas to the committee of the ball. This will be competed for by the dancers.
The double tickets for the dance have all been sold; but single tickets may still be had. Price two guineas each, including supper, of Miss Chute 1 Albemarie Street, Piccadilly."
(The Times, 14 February 1922)
"The 4,000 guests at the Albert Hall Wedding Ball on Tuesday will drink the health of Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles in punch prepared according to Dickens' recipe. Two large punch bowls will be wheeled around the floor, under the charge of four Gilbert and Sullivan actors who will sell if for the benefit of the Maida-vale Hospital. One bowl will be controlled by Mr Henry Lytton and Mr Leo Sheffield, dressed respectively as 'Johnnie Walker still going strong' and 'John Bull'."
(The Times, 23 February 1922)
"The Wedding Ball, organized by Miss Margaret Chute, and held last evening at the Royal Albert Hall, in aid of the Hospital for Paralysis and Epilepsy, Maida Vale, was enjoyed by over 3,000 dancers as a highly successful conclusion to an historic day.
The scheme of decoration consisted of a Maypole rising from the centre of the floor, surrounded at the base by a double tier of sears for temporary rest, and linked from its summit to the top of the second row of boxes by innumerable coloured streamers, forming a variegated canopy. In front of the organ, which was disguised by a sky-cloth and above Corelli Windeatt's orchestra, a huge wedding bell was hung, illuminated within, and the six rendezvous signs round the grand tier repeated the wedding note. At midnight members of the D'Oyly Carte Company wheeled punch-bowls round the floor, on two separate wagons, and toasted the bride and bridegroom with a ballad, accompanied by the organ as well as the full orchestra.
Lord Terrington (chairman of the ball comittee) and Lady Terrington entertained a party of 60 in the Royal Box, many of whom had dined with them before the ball at Claridge's Restaurant."
(The Times, 1 March 1922)
"BRILLIANT ALBERT HALL BALL.
A TOAST IN DICKENS PUNCH.
The 'wedding ball' at the Royal Albert Hall started an hour or two before midniht. It was in aid of the Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis at Maida Vale. Some 4,000 people in fancy costume took part, and the scene was brilliant.
At midnight the huge company stopped dance for a brief interval and drank the health of Princess Mary and Viscount Lacelles, and wished them a long and happy married life.
Huge bowls were pushed roundthe hall on trolleys by members of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company - Mr Henry Lytton, Mr Leo Sheffield, Mr Derek Oldham and Mr Darrell Fancourt.
When every glass was filled with punch, said to have been made from a Dickens recipe, Mr Thorpe Bates sang a toast-song written by Mr Arthur Wimperis to the old tune 'Here's a health to his Majesty.' The whole assembly joined vigorously in the chorus."
(The Manchester Guardian, 1 March 1922)
Guests included (The Times, 1 March 1922):
Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyll), Prince Djemaleddin, Marquess and Marchioness of Queensberry, Lord Leight, Lord and Lady Howard de Walden, Sir John Norton-Grittiths, Lady Nall-Cain, Sir Robert and Sir Malcolm McAlpine, Hon. Mrs Harmsworth, Lady Barrett, Mme. Soulill, Miss Lily Brayton, Miss Carrie Tubb, Mr and Mrs Alec Rea, and Mr Basil Macdonald Hastings.
Royal Box party - Lord and Lady Terrington, Countess of Kimberley, Viscount and Viscountess Maitland, Gertrude Lady Decles, Lady Alexander, Lady [Shiftner], Sir Herbert Morgan, Sir Walter and Lady Gibbons, Hon. Charles Hanbury, Hon. Horace and Mrs Woodhouse, Colonel and Mrs Pretyman Newman, Mr and Mrs Edgar Mocatta, Mrs Simon Brand, Mr and Mrs Archibald MacLaren, and Major Graziani. |
| Related Archival Material | Handbill (RAHE/6/1922/8) |