Stage by Stage
Elisabeth Kumm
Elisabeth is a founding member of the Victoria Theatres Trust. Her series Pets of the Public was a regular feature of On Stage from 1999 to 2005, looking at “forgotten” nineteenth century performers. She continues to contribute articles for the THA website, and from 2018 has been editor of the THA Newsletter. As a theatrical historian and biographer she assisted Viola Tait with her book on pantomime – Dames, Principal Boys…and All That (published by Macmillan in 2001) and also worked with her on her memoirs I Have a Song to Sing (published by THA in 2018). Elisabeth has also undertaken research for the Riley/Hailes Scrapbook and JCW Scene Books projects. Most recently she has been working on the Falk Studios album project including acting as editor of The Falk Studios book (published by THA in 2021).
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
ROWE, George Fawcett (1832-1889)
English actor, manager & playwright. Né George Curtis Rowe. Born 24 July 1832, Exeter, Devon, England. Son of George Rowe (artist). Married (1) Kate Girard (actress), (2) Adelaide Arthur. Died 29 August 1889, New York City, New York, USA.
On stage in Australia, New Zealand and USA from 1853. Managed Princess Theatre and wrote 15 plays.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
ROSNATI, Ferante
Italian operatic vocalist (tenor). Married Augusta Cortesi (vocalist), 1871.
On stage in India and Australia during the 1870s with the Cagli-Pompei Opera Company.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
ROGERS, Elva
Australian vocalist (contralto). Born Bendigo, VIC, Australia. Married John Bell (humourist). Mother of Graeme Bell (jazz musician).
Performing in oratorio and on the concert platform in Australia from 1898. Studied under Madame Weidermann at the Albert Street Conservatorium and toured with Melba.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
ROBERTS, Reginald (1874-1965)
English actor & vocalist (tenor). Né Robert Reginald Halford. Born 1874, London, England. Son of Robert Halford (Hal Forde) and Emily Packer. Married (1) Madge -- , 1895, London, England, (2) Florence Young (de facto), (3) Emily -- , 1950. Died 24 April 1965, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, aged 91.
On stage in England and America from 1889. Australia from 1902 as leading man in musical comedies with Florence Young.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
RILEY, John (c.1819-1911)
Actor and circus performer. Married. Died 17 December 1911, Old Colonists’ Homes, North Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia, aged 92.
In Australia from 1849. Member of Radford’s Circus, the first circus troupe to visit Australia. Compiler of Riley/Hailes Scrapbook.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
RIGNOLD, George (1839-1912)
English actor & manager. Né George Richard Rignall. Born 1839, Birmingham, England. Son of William Ross Rignold (actor) and Patricia Blaxland (actress). Brother of William Rignold (actor). Married (1) Marie Braybrooke Henderson (actress), 28 September 1865, (2) Georgina Harriet Dora Coppin, 3 October 1907. Died 16 December 1912, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
On stage in England, USA, Australia and New Zealand from 1860s. Settled in Australia in 1894. Known as 'handsome George' and best remembered for his portrayal of Henry V.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
RICKARDS, Harry (1840-1911)
English music hall performer & manager. Né Benjamin Henry Leete. Born 4 December 1843, Stratford, Essex, England. Married (1) Carrie Tudor (actress), (2) Lottie D'Aste (gymnast) (de facto), (3) Kate Roscow (actress), 24 November 1880, Manchester, England. Died 13 October 1911, London, England. Father of Noni Rickards (actress).
Cockney music hall singer; visited Australia several times prior to founding the Tivoli circuit in 1893, and establishing himself as Australia's King of Vaudeville.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
REEVE, Wybert (1829-1906)
English actor & playwright. Born 1829, London, England. Died November 1906, England.
On stage in England and Australia from 1849. Provincial theatre manager in England, 1859-1879, and in Australia again 1879-1900 managing theatres in Adelaide.
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