The Melvilles were a thriving theatrical family. The dynasty started with George Melville (1824-1898), a Shakespearian actor, who is reputed to have run away from home at the age of nine to join the travelling theatrical troupe of John Richardson. His son Andrew Melville (1853-1896) was an actor and theatre proprietor in many towns and cities all over the country.
Andrew's two eldest sons Frederick and Walter continued the tradition; managing, directing, producing, writing and acting in plays. These included the 'Bad Woman' dramas: plays with a strong moral theme, very much suited to the tastes of the day. The brothers shared the proprietorship of the Lyceum Theatre in the Strand where they produced their own plays, many of which were never published, and staged elaborate pantomimes. Their sisters, Edith, Minnie, Kate and Beatrice were all actresses: their brother Andrew Melville II (1882-1938) was a successful actor and theatre manager and producer.
The son of Andrew Melville II, Andrew Melville III (1912-1988), was also associated with the theatre, and was married to the actress Joan Matheson. Andrew III was the last Melville to be associated with the theatre. He retired in 1950. Seventeen years later he was inspired to write a book about his own family which led Andrew to make copious notes and to collect much family and theatrical memorabilia on the Melvilles. A first draft was eventually produced, tentatively entitled "The Melvilles of Melodrama" but, unfortunately, the book has never been published. A letter exists from Harraps declining to publish it on the grounds that there was not enough interest in matters of this kind. Andrew III died in 1988.
From the guide to the Melville Theatre Collection, c 1800-1987, (Specialist Collections and Academic Archives, University of Kent)
