Ellen Smith/Harrison or Madam Zora (1908-1983): Silk Winder and Blackfaced Music Hall Singer from Bolton

Bolton has a proud and long music hall tradition. In 1840 the Star Inn in Bolton was arguably the first music hall venue to be opened in England. Four years later the American Southern Minstrels, an American blackfaced troupe touring England, performed at the Star Inn. Blackfaced acts would become especially popular in Lancashire, in part due to the success of the Rochdale-born artist G.H. Elliot.

Ellen Smith/Harrison (a half sister of one of the speaker's grandmothers), a silk winder working in Bolton, in her spare time took to the stage and became a celebrated blackfaced singer in the years immediately after the end of the Second World War. With the stage name 'Zorah' or 'Zora Harris', Ellen starred in variety theatres across northern England and rubbed shoulders with artists such as Spike Milligan and Betty Driver.

Description supplied by the event organiser.