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Violet Augusta Mary Barnes (her real name) was born in Exeter on 11th June, 1867. She was the daughter of the Reverend Reginald H. Barnes, Dean of Exeter, and his wife Frances (Fanny) [nee Nation]. She was the eldest of three siblings who would each pursue successful stage careers - Violet herself, sister Irene (Vanbrugh) who was made a Dame for her services to theatre, and brother Kenneth (Barnes).
Violet was raised in Exeter and later educated in France and Germany. She first appeared on stage in a walk-on role in the burlesque "Faust and Loose" at Toole's Theatre in February 1886. Being almost nineteen years of a
Violet Augusta Mary Barnes (her real name) was born in Exeter on 11th June, 1867. She was the daughter of the Reverend Reginald H. Barnes, Dean of Exeter, and his wife Frances (Fanny) [nee Nation]. She was the eldest of three siblings who would each pursue successful stage careers - Violet herself, sister Irene (Vanbrugh) who was made a Dame for her services to theatre, and brother Kenneth (Barnes).
Violet was raised in Exeter and later educated in France and Germany. She first appeared on stage in a walk-on role in the burlesque "Faust and Loose" at Toole's Theatre in February 1886. Being almost nineteen years of age, she could be considered a relatively late starter for a theatrical career in those days, as most began in their early teens. She soon made up for any lost time however, that inauspicious starter giving little portent of the distinguished career that was to follow. She next appeared as 'Ellen' in "The Little Pilgrims" at The Criterion in July 1886, her first West End appearance.
She then moved to the Theatre Royal in Margate, playing in a number of roles whilst learning to perfect her theatrical talents under the guidance and tutelage of the distinguished actress/manager Sarah Thorne (who would be equally instrumental in launching her sister Irene's theatrical career). She next rejoined Toole's company playing 'Lady Anne' in "The Butler" on tour and later back at Toole's Theatre in Charing Cross. She stayed with Toole through the early part of 1897 playing in numerous roles in comedy and 'straight' drama. She returned to Margate later that year where, among others, she appeared in her first Shakespearean roles of 'Ophelia' in "Hamlet", 'Helena' in "A Midsummer Nights Dream", 'Rosalind' in "As you Like It", and 'Portia' in "The Merchant of Venice".
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