Burt, Laura, -1952

British-born actress Laura Burt (died 1952) was active as a performer in the United States and England from the late 19th century through the middle of the 20th century.

Born on the Isle of Man to Captain Brown Burt and a Welsh mother, Ann Lloyd Burt, Laura Burt's family came to Shannon, Illinois around 1876, before finally settling in Ohio. She made her first appearance on the stage at the Academy of Music, New York City in The Old Homestead (1889). Afterwards she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Burt was first noticed for her performance as Nell Tutewiler and subsequently as June in Blue Jeans (1890). Another of her notable roles was Madge in the play, In Old Kentucky (1893), at Palmer's Theatre. Burt toured in this role for two seasons. She made her first appearance in London in February 1898 at the Shakespeare Theatre, Clapham, as June in Blue Jeans. In 1902, Burt married British actor Henry Stanford (real name, Harry Costello). The two performed together as well as separately and were married until Stanford's death in 1921. The couple purchased a home in Great Kills, Staten Island, called Stanford Lodge. Stanford and Burt played with Sir Henry Irving's company both in England and on his last U.S. tour. Burt performed for Sir Henry Irving from 1903 to 1906, starring as Helen of Swabia in Dante, and also performing in Louis XI. After her contract with Sir Henry Irving expired, Burt took her own company on a successful tour of the English provinces in 1907. Among the productions in which Burt and Stanford performed together were Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall (1906-1907), The Walls of Jericho (1907-1908), and The Order of the Bath, a vaudeville skit (circa 1908-1910). Burt also performed recitations and impersonations in vaudeville. Perhaps one of Burt's most notable roles was the Nurse in the 1913 revival of Eugene Brieux's, Damaged Goods, a play that explored the repercussions on a family of a husband with a sexually transmitted disease. She was active in theatrical clubs and associations, such as the Twelfth Night Club, and was a lifelong member of the Professional Woman's League. She also took part in suffragette activities and was also a convert to Christian Science, although the exact date is unclear. Although she participated in many Welsh heritage events and clubs, Burt became a U.S. citizen in 1924.

From the description of Laura Burt papers, 1883-1950. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 166140949

Actress Laura Burt was born on September 15, 1875 on the Isle of Man to Captain Brown Burt and a Welsh mother, Ann Lloyd Burt. The family came to Shannon, Illinois around 1876. Her sea captain father was reported murdered in Liverpool and in order to earn a living, her mother was forced to lecture on temperance to Welsh settlers in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, where they finally settled. Mrs. Burt became a well-known temperance and religious lecturer. At the age of three, Laura Burt would recite at her mother’s meetings. Burt had a half brother, Richard Lloyd Roberts, from her mother’s first marriage, as well as a sister Elizabeth, and brother Will.

She made her first appearance on the stage at the Academy of Music, New York City in The Old Homestead (1889). Afterwards she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Burt was first noticed for her performance as Nell Tutewiler and subsequently as June in Blue Jeans (1890). Another of her notable roles was Madge in the play In Old Kentucky at Palmer’s Theatre (1893). Burt toured in this role for two seasons.

In 1897, Burt also played Iza Simpkins in The Widow Goldstein (1897) at the Fourteenth Street Theatre, as well as Olga in The Heart of the Klondike at the Star Theatre. She made her first appearance in London in February 1898 at the Shakespeare Theatre, Clapham, as June in Blue Jeans . At the New York Theatre, Burt appeared in The King’s Carnival (1900).

On March 2, 1902, she married British actor Henry B. Stanford (nee Costello) at All Souls’ Church in New York City. The two performed together as well as separately and were married until Stanford’s death in 1921. The couple purchased a home in Great Kills, Staten Island, called Stanford Lodge. Stanford played with Sothern and Marlowe and was in the original production of Peg O’ My Heart with Laurette Taylor. According to a 1934 Louella Parsons’ column, Stanford left Burt a legacy on condition she use his name.

Stanford and Burt played with Sir Henry Irving’s company both in England and on his last U.S. tour. Burt performed for Sir Henry Irving from 1903 to 1906, starring as Helen of Swabia in Dante, and also performing in Louis XI . While with the company, Burt took time to perform in St. Louis in In the Palace of the King and Soldiers of Fortune, although these productions are not documented in the collection. After her contract with Sir Henry Irving expired, Burt took her own company on a successful tour of the English provinces in 1907. Among the productions in which Burt and Stanford performed together are Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall ( 1906-1907 ), The Walls of Jericho ( 1907-1908 ), and The Order of the Bath, a vaudeville skit (ca. 1908-1910). Burt also performed recitations and impersonations in vaudeville. In 1912, Burt sued Castle Square Opera Company producer Henry W. Savage for $7,000, after he abruptly cancelled her engagement in the production Madame X .

Perhaps one of Burt’s most notable roles was the Nurse in Eugene Brieux’s, Damaged Goods, a play that explored the repercussions on a family of a husband with a sexually transmitted disease. The play opened at the Fulton Theatre in 1913 and was seen by many medical professionals and clerics. The cast gave a virtual command performance for President Woodrow Wilson, cabinet members, and other notable diplomats at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Burt was active in theatrical clubs and associations, such as the Twelfth Night Club, and was a lifelong member of the Professional Woman’s League. She also took part in suffragette activities and was also a convert to Christian Science, although the exact date is unclear. (In a 1909 newspaper interview, Burt mentions her religion.). Although she participated in many Welsh heritage events and clubs, Burt became a U.S. citizen in 1924.

She was forced to auction her Staten Island home in 1922 after it was attached in a lawsuit against her by a workman injured there. She died at the age of 80 in Fordham Hospital, New York City on October 16, 1952.

From the guide to the Laura Burt papers, 1883-1950, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)