Ruth Bowman has been a Leading Friend with Capital Theatres for many years. With a passion for dance and the arts, she first got involved with The People’s Archive in January 2024 to train in working in archives. Following her training with the project, she began a series of independent research projects focusing on people who worked and were featured at the King’s Theatre in the early years between 1906-1946. Her passion for genealogical research has led to her taking a 10-week genealogy course.

”Working with the archive and research has given me a whole new lease of life”

During her time as a volunteer with The People’s Archive she has undertaken research on a series of individuals including:  

Bethia Cassie – female lighting technician at the King’s

Elizabeth Bergner & Nikita Balieff – Performers during Bethia’s time 

Felix Gade - Violinist & Orchestral Conductor for a series of Sunday concerts at the King’s Theatre in 1907  

A. Douglas Wilcox – Musical Director of the King’s from June 1909-24 January 1936 

A. Stewart Cruikshank – Managing Director of the King’s Theatre until December 1949 

George King Sr. & George King Jr. – Names from the message in a bottle October 1906 

John is a Leading Friend of Capital Theatres and is an arts enthusiast. John got involved with the People’s Archive in 2024 with the goal to develop a catalogue of every single show that has been at the King’s since 1906. So far, he has undertaken training across a range of heritage skills including a paper conservation course provided by The Scottish Conservation Studio, preservation workshops and digitisation workshops. He is excited to uncover more about the early career of popular stars from the very beginning in 1906. 

Andy Harris has been involved with the King’s for over 30 years along with his wife Harriet. Their son even has his own seat in the audience after working on several pantomimes. Andy is currently working on uncovering genealogical stories covering the earliest days at the King’s Theatre. 

Harriet Harris has been involved with the King’s Theatre for over 30 years along with her husband Andy. Their son even has his own seat in the audience after working on several pantomimes. 

Harriet has brought her expertise as a retired transcriber of medical records to tackling the transcription of over 30 Oral Histories including those featured on The People’s Archive. 

Lyn has been working with the King’s Theatre Heritage Project since 2022. During her time on the project, she has conducted Oral History interviews with people who have worked on stage, backstage, participated in amateur performances, audience members, and more.

Ruth McKay was a founding member of Capital Theatre’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) at the tender age of fifteen. Now Chair of the Youth Advisory Board, Ruth has been volunteering with The People’s Archive since 2024 including undertaking a research project into the history of Show Boat and its staging by Edinburgh community theatre company The Bohemians.  Check out this article about her work.

Lily is a recent graduate from Edinburgh College. She is pursuing her undergraduate training in costume design from the Arts University Bournemouth. Her research has centred on a collection of photographs, contracts, and a study into the dancers involved in variety shows in the 1940s.