Archie O'Neill

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Archie O'Neill, A Birkenhead Boy, is based on a true story of a boy's lifelong journey -- from under the wheels of a tram to the front of the footlights -- and home again. It features some of the British music halls' biggest stars, events and theatres in the early 1910's and through the first World War. At its heart, however, is a family story about a man who, while deeply scarred as a child by abuse, poverty, and a life-changing accident, overcomes it all to become "the world's greatest one-legged ragtime dancer."

But, at what price?

This is Kim Freeman Theilman's first novel, inspired by a desire to raise her uncle from relative obscurity into the limelight. Kim scoured archives at Harvard and Manchester Universities as well as the Wirral Archives and newspapers from Birkenhead and Manchester to trace Archie's life and tours. The results reveal a surprising glimpse of one family's trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows.

Countless hours of research into the life of Archie O'Neill revealed how difficult life was for poor families in late 1800s England. Severely injured as a child, Archie discovered talents which propelled him into British Music Hall history. The Argyle theatre in Birkenhead figured prominently in his career. It was the first of many where he would amaze theatregoers with his charming presence.