Digital Transgender Archive

K. Scott-Barrie in character as "The entertainer". Process print, 190-.

Mr ? K. Scott-Barrie. The entertainer

Part of James Gardiner Collection: photograph album labelled ‘Drag’.

He is leaning on a marble pillar and wearing high Edwardian drag. Chiffon tiers cascade down to a flowing train, the waist is tightly corseted, the wide Bishop sleeves edged in cut-work embroidery ; a white marabou stole, lily-of-the valley corsage and elegant wig and gloves complete the toilette. The make-up is heavy and dramatic for the time, but totally feminine. Kemsley Scott-Barrie (real name Edward Woolhouse, 1883-1918) was a sea-side concert party entertainer who started his career in Scarborough. He graduated from concert-parties to pantomime and music-hall. He was something of a pioneer in that his female characters were not grotesque dames, but glamorous ladies. In male clothing he presented a distinguished and completely masculine appearance. As a soldier in the Prince of Wales' Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment in World War I, one may assume he took part in concert parties, but he was killed in action in the closing weeks of the war, October 1918. He is buried in France (James Gardiner)