An autographed photograph of Tommy Lorne, c 1920s.
Tommy Lorne (1890-1935) was born Hugh Corcoran and had originally intended to adopt the stage name Tom E Lorne. A mix-up at the printers' shop resulted in Tommy Lorne appearing on the bill instead.
Lorne learned his trade as a comic in a double act with Bret Harte and became a star of the annual pantomime at the Princess's Theatre, and later at the Pavilion and Theatre Royal. In his later years, as his career appeared to be taking off in English theatres, he began to drink heavily and embarked on a long battle against alcoholism. He died when he was on the verge of making his comeback to the Glasgow stage.
Reference: Photo B1/26
Glasgow University Library, Special Collections
Keywords:
alcoholics, alcoholism, comedians, pantomime dames, Pavilion Theatre, portraits, Princess's Theatre, Theatre Royal, theatres