Haverstock, Peggy

Peggy Haverstock discusses her life as a performer in the tent show business and reads exerpts from her brother-in-law Harvey Haverstock’s memoirs.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Peggy Haverstock

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: February 25, 1976; September 10, 1983

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Bob Nash (on KFYO Radio), Judy Sprague

Length: 3 hours, 20 minutes (total)

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Tent show revival in Grandfield Oklahoma, Haverstock show, To Washington, D. C., Married into show business, Alvord Texas, Mother-in-law, Show business background, Haverstock Comedians, Began (1911), Toby shows, Importance of comedy, Heyday of tent shows (1920s), Advertisements, Haverstock show (again), Traveled by truck, Boarding houses house trailers, Show prices, Mrs. Haverstock as a performer, Advertising, Concessions, Advertisements (again), Haverstock show (again), Three-night stands, Difficulties, Rewards, Toby actor, Hardships, Railroad cars burned (1916), Olney Texas, Tents blew down, Advertisements (again), Haverstock show (again), Audiences, 65th anniversary Roosevelt Oklahoma.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: Haverstock Tent Show, Beginning, Harvey Haverstock’s memoirs, King-Haverstock partnership, Haverstock Tent Show (again), Circuits played (1911-1935, c. 1936), Traveling, Setting itinerary, Illinois circuit, Relationship with other shows, Traveling (again), Haverstock’s background (from memoirs), Education and early work experience, Family, Meeting wife Carlotta Mozier, Working with Swift Brothers’ Circus, Father’s reaction.

Tape 2, Side 2: Haverstock’s background (continued), Herb Swift show, Marriage plans, Working for George A. Root, Opening new theater, Haverstock’s first tent operation, Operation, Winter work, Wright Brothers’ show, Haverstock Theatre Company, Purchase of show (January 1911), First season, Living in Olney Texas, Odd jobs, Working ball games, King-Haverstock Show (1912), Settling in St. Louis, Operating street car, Molly Bailey, Purchase of traveling car, Circle stock, King-Haverstock (again), Operation, Problems with King, Robert Nef’s Theatre Show, Opening first show (again).

Tape 3, Side 1: Punch and Judy shows (1930s), Puppets, Make-up, Peggy Haverstock, Marriage to Rolland, Joining Haverstock show, Opinion of tent show work, Anecdote: working with burned foot, Anecdote: "Ten Nights in a Barroom", Haverstock Show (again), Pre-1929, Depression, Talent of Harvey and Lotta, "Tobys", Magic shows, Haverstock Show (again), Players after Lotta’s death, Closing of show, Playwrights, Neil Shaftner, Correspondence, Family atmosphere, Russell and Ina Cutsinger.

Tape 3, Side 2: Morality of tent shows, Reputation of "show people", Haverstock Show (again), Opening, Rehearsal, Harvey ad-libbing, "Toby" character, Working without "Mother", Rolland has appendectomy, "Lotta" Haverstock as an actress, Specialty acts, Versatility of players, Rowe Meador, Musicians picked up, "Wood shedding".

Tape 4, Side 1: Setting up tent (continued), Stage, Dressing rooms, Advertisements, Progression of show, Anecdote: problems in costume changing, Haverstock’s memoirs (again), Oklahoma-Texas circuit (1916), St. Louis, 1917 season, Post-World War I, Toby Wilson show, Discussion of notes.

Tape 4, Side 2: Haverstock Show (again), 1920s, Depression (1930s), Favorite plays, Bob and Louise Wyatt, High school show, Concessions and prizes, Haverstock Collection, "Scrapbook" stories, World War II, Haverstock Show (again), Length, Variety of plays, Appeal, "Blow downs", Heating the tent, Water proofing the tent.

Range Dates: c. 1905-1983

Bulk Dates: 1911-1940

Access Information

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