History Brodie and Middleton, a family company since establishment in Covent Garden in 1840 had its first premises in Long Acre, round the corner from the current location in Drury Lane. The site contained both a shop and production facility. Back in the 19th Century companies like Brodie and Middleton sprang up following a need for the establishment of formalised production of colour and materials for the Artist and Theatrical Trade.   Brodies were colourmen and printers' suppliers in Victorian times and developed into a company to rival the size of Winsor and Newton and Daler Rowney at the time. These companies went on to bigger things and many other colourmen from the era failed. Brodies are among a few like L Cornelissen & Son Ltd and Russell & Chapple Ltd that survive and thrive in London today. Brodie and Middleton developed and maintained its business in Long Acre until after the Second World War. With changing requirements in its business and the need to move premises the company moved to its current location in Drury Lane in the same block as the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.   The company was in ownership of the original family up until 1999 and joined the new century with new owners and a large input of development of products and marketing expertise. Production and packing has been moved from the basement in Drury Lane, now occupied by Russell & Chapple Ltd. It is now sited in Holloway. London and the expertise and personnel from the original company continue to make and pack Brodies products. The surviving family member, Mrs Daphne Masterton, is still involved with the company and is intimately involved with the Music Hall Society and our many friends in the Theatrical Trade.