Bessie Bellwood (born Catherine Mahoney; 30 March 1856 – 24 September 1896) was a popular music hall performer of the Victorian era noted for her singing of 'Coster' songs, including "What Cheer 'Ria".[1][2] Her onstage persona was that of an abrasive but loveable character with an ability to argue down even the toughest of hecklers.[3][4]
Born in London, she made her music hall debut in Bermondsey. She became popular with cockney working-class audiences, and went on to appear on the same bill as Jenny Hill at the Canterbury Theatre of Varieties and the same bill as Vesta Tilley at Carlo Gatti's Charing Cross Music Hall. Off-stage, she became a popular figure in London for her many charitable donations to the poor. In later life Bellwood suffered from alcoholism as well as financial troubles and bankruptcy. With her health in decline, she died at her home in London, aged 40.
- ^ Wingrove, Louise (2016). Reigniting the 'vital spark' : reimagining and reclaiming the repertoires, career development and image cultivation of serio-comediennes Jenny Hill and Bessie Bellwood from 1870-1896 (Ph.D. thesis). University of Bristol.
- ^ Scott, Derek (2019). "Music Hall: Regulations and behaviour in a British cultural institution". Muzikologija (26): 61–74. doi:10.2298/MUZ1926061S. hdl:21.15107/rcub_dais_6336. S2CID 201582893.
- ^ Wingrove, Louise (2020). "'Sassin' Back': Victorian Serio-Comediennes and Their Audiences". Victorian Comedy and Laughter. pp. 207–233. doi:10.1057/978-1-137-57882-2_8. ISBN 978-1-137-57881-5. S2CID 226743708.
- ^ Chevalier, Albert (November 1901). "A chevalier d'industrie". The English illustrated magazine. No. 218. pp. 129–136. ProQuest 3248384.