Allan Aynesworth Collection

These folders contain materials related to the stage and screen career of Allan Aynesworth; including photographs, a play-text, a prompt script, writings and a cuttings scrapbook.

Born in 1887, Allan Aynesworth began his acting career in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's 1887 production of The Red Lamp. In 1895 he played Algernon in the premiere production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at the St James' Theatre, London. He went on to appear in many productions, mainly in London theatres, and in 1912 became an actor-manager at the New Theatre with Ready Money. The following year he took over the Garrick and in 1914, with Bronson Albery, the Criterion.

Aynesworth also appeared in a number of films, including The Iron Duke (1935), Brewster's Millions (1935) and The Last Days of Dolwyn (1949).

Aynesworth died at the age of 95 in Surrey.

This collection has been organised into the following series:

• THM/63/1 - Scrapbook
• THM/63/2 - Photographs and Images
• THM/63/3 - Play-text
• THM/63/4 - Correspondence
• THM/63/5 - Writings
• THM/63/6 - Prompt Script

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.

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

This collection was appraised in line with the collection management policy.

No further accruals are expected.

See also the core collections of the V&A Theatre and Performance Department. Material relating to Allan Aynesworth may be found in several collections, including the biographical, productions, company and photographs files.

Please ask for details.