Trixie Scales Archive

This collection consists of the personal papers, business correspondence, personal and production photographs, providing much information about the stage career of Trixie Scales and some material relating her husband, stage director Pat Anslow Austin between 1926-1970s.

The extensive range of production photos, publicity shots and personal photographs provides an unusual and detailed insight into the costumes and stage sets of famous West End revue shows of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly those of Andre Charlot.

Letters in this archive include one from Will Hay to Trixie Scales' mother, and letters to Trixie herself from John Mills, Frankie Howerd, and perhaps surprisingly, Edwina Mountbatten. There are also several original posters from productions featuring Trixie Scales. Later material includes correspondence about the Trixie Scales Theatrical Agency. Two Stage Director's books belonging to Pat Austin are also included in the archive.

Trixie Scales was born on 9 July 1914 attended dancing classes as a child and appeared in amateur performances from an early age. She began her career as a chorus girl, appearing on stage in Andre Charlot's Revue of 1928 when she was just 14 years old.

Trixie Scales continued her career as a chorus girl in West End musicals, variety shows and revues, particularly those produced by Andre Charlot. In 1941, Trixie Scales married the stage director Pat Anslow Austin after he proposed to her by telegram at the Cabaret Club from his troop ship in Iceland. They worked together in a number of London musicals.

Trixie Scales went on to appear in cabaret shows, acted in small parts in British films - including In Which We Serve. Trixie Scales was also known as Julie Anslow later in her career. She eventually established her own theatrical agency.

The archive is arranged in four series:

• THM/47/1 - Contracts and Correspondence Series
• THM/47/2 - Photographs
• THM/47/3 - Miscellaneous Printed Material
• THM/47/4 - Pat Austin Material

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Blythe House Archive and Library Study Room by appointment only. Full details of access arrangements may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Access to some of the material may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

The archive was given to the Theatre Museum by Ray Gupta.

Some of the newspaper reviews of early productions are fragile, therefore photocopies are supplied for readers to use.

Information on copying and commercial reproduction may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

The archive was part of the estate of Trixie Scales.

No further accruals are acquired.