October 1880: Death of a Scenic Artist – Thomas Dudgeon

An article, originally published in The Era, is on page three of The Belfast Morning News, on Monday the 8th of

November, 1880, and reads:

 

“DEATH OF A SCENIC ARTIST.—The death of Thomas Dudgeon, which occurred a few days since at his residence in

Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, severs yet another link between the past and the present races of scenic artists. Mr.

Dudgeon had reached a ripe age, and many old playgoers of Glasgow will remember him as a noted individual

in his day. They will also call to mind many racy anecdotes of his quiet humour. Mr. Dudgeon commenced his

career as a scenic artist while a very young man with the late John Henry Alexander, and continued in his service

for upwards of thirty years in the theatre in Dunlop Street. He also assisted Messrs. Bayne, Sparrow, and Cochrane,

under the same management, in the theatres at Carlisle and Dumfries. For untiring zeal and industry Mr. Dudgeon

was matched by few in the profession, and the work he carried out in connection with pantomimes, melodramas, and

plays of the period would astonish not a few of the denizens of the scene-room of the present day. He was also possessed

of no mean constructive ability, and was consulted by and lent efficient aid to the architects employed in the building

and alteration of the theatres belonging to Mr. Alexander. Mr. Dudgeon was for some years in business with Messrs. Bogle

& Co., housepainters and decorators, and was much valued for his talent in this department, and occasionally employed by

the late Edmund Glover when he became lessee of the Theatre Royal. For years past Mr. Dadgeon (sic) was principally

engaged painting panoramas, &c., for entrepreneurs in Liverpool and Belfast, which proved very popular, and were attended

with a large measure of success.—Era. [Mr. Dudgeon completely re-painted Dr. Corry’s diorama of Ireland some few months

ago, and painted for it several new scenes, including one of Rostrevor, which was particularly admired.]”

 

 

 

The British Newspaper Archive.

 

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, March 2024.