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Lily Brayton

(1876-1953), Actress

Sitter in 79 portraits
Edwardian beauty, Brayton began her acting career with Benson's Shakespearean Company in 1896. Marrying the Australian actor Oscar Asche in 1898, both formed a celebrated partnership, appearing in Asche's own productions, notably The Taming of the Shrew (1904) and Kismet (1911). In 1904 they formed their own theatrical company, and in 1907 became co-managers of His Majesty's Theatre, London. They made two popular tours of Australia, but their biggest hit was with the musical comedy Chu Chin Chow. This ran for five years from 1916, making it the biggest hit of the war years, with Brayton as the female lead. Her last stage appearance was as Portia in Julius Caesar in 1932.

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Lily Brayton as Katherine in 'The Taming of the Shrew', by Rita Martin, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x131490

Lily Brayton as Katherine in 'The Taming of the Shrew'

by Rita Martin, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1904-1908
NPG x131490

Lily Brayton; (Thomas Stange Heiss) Oscar Asche, by Foulsham & Banfield, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x201013

Lily Brayton; (Thomas Stange Heiss) Oscar Asche

by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, circa 1905
NPG x201013

Lily Brayton; (Thomas Stange Heiss) Oscar Asche, by Foulsham & Banfield, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x201014

Lily Brayton; (Thomas Stange Heiss) Oscar Asche

by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, circa 1905
NPG x201014

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult', by Rita Martin, published by  Aristophot Co Ltd - NPG x131449

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult'

by Rita Martin, published by Aristophot Co Ltd
postcard print, 1906
NPG x131449

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult', by Rita Martin, published by  J. Beagles & Co - NPG x131462

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult'

by Rita Martin, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1906
NPG x131462

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult', by Rita Martin, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x131485

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult'

by Rita Martin, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1906
NPG x131485

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult', by Rita Martin, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x131486

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult'

by Rita Martin, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1906
NPG x131486

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult', by Rita Martin, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x131487

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult'

by Rita Martin, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1906
NPG x131487

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult', by Rita Martin, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x131488

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult'

by Rita Martin, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1906
NPG x131488

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult', by Rita Martin, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x131489

Lily Brayton as Iseult in 'Tristram and Iseult'

by Rita Martin, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1906
NPG x131489

Lily Brayton as Althea in the 'Virgin Goddess', by Rita Martin - NPG x137354

Lily Brayton as Althea in the 'Virgin Goddess'

by Rita Martin
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 7 November 1906
NPG x137354

Lily Brayton as Ildico in 'Attila', by Rita Martin, published by  J. Beagles & Co - NPG x131465

Lily Brayton as Ildico in 'Attila'

by Rita Martin, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x131465

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It', by Rita Martin, published by  J. Beagles & Co - NPG x131466

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It'

by Rita Martin, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x131466

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It', by Rita Martin, published by  J. Beagles & Co - NPG x131467

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It'

by Rita Martin, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x131467

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It', by Rita Martin, published by  J. Beagles & Co - NPG x131468

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It'

by Rita Martin, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x131468

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It', by Rita Martin, published by  J. Beagles & Co - NPG x131469

Lily Brayton as Rosalind in 'As You Like It'

by Rita Martin, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x131469

Lily Brayton as Desdemona in 'Othello', by Rita Martin, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x131479

Lily Brayton as Desdemona in 'Othello'

by Rita Martin, published by The Philco Publishing Co
bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x131479

Lily Brayton as Ildico in 'Attila', by Rita Martin, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x131480

Lily Brayton as Ildico in 'Attila'

by Rita Martin, published by The Philco Publishing Co
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x131480

Lily Brayton as Ildico in 'Attila', by Rita Martin, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x131481

Lily Brayton as Ildico in 'Attila'

by Rita Martin, published by The Philco Publishing Co
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x131481

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