E.C. de Jocelyn Harvey

E.C. de Jocelyn Harvey (fl. 1850 - 1870s) was a British-born actor and elocutionist.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Calling himself a "classical Shakespearean Reader and Impersonator", he visited Cape Town in 1859 to perform for the C.T. Dramatic Club and work as a teacher of "Elocution, Oratory and General" for a short while, before he disappeared from the theatrical scene in Cape Town.

The publicity sent out by by his (sole) local agent, I.R. Taylor, stated that he had been a pupil of among others, Fanny Kemble, E. Devrient (in Vienna) and Charles Kean; and that he had recently toured the Americas with his entertainments. His performances were billed rather grandiloquently as a Grand Classical Entertainment of Dramatic Readings and Histrionic Impersonations.

His first performance was a selection from the "English and American Master Poets" on 13 April in the Commercial Rooms , Cape Town, with readings from inter alia Shakespeare, Longfellow, Byron, Poe, etc.

An Evening of Tragedy, Melodrama and Light Comedy, was given in the Cape Town Theatre on 2 June of 1859, with the support of local amateurs and members of the Cape Town Garrison. The pieces done were a death scene from a melodrama entitled Friendship (Anon.), the closet scene from Hamlet (Shakespeare), Town & Country, or Which is Best? (Morton) and an Extravaganza Macbeth (Talfourd). Supporting performers for the evening's entertainment included Mr Devere, Miss Delmaine, Mr Connorton, Mr Keens and Mr Stenner (the latter three with permission of Colonel Graham of the local regiment).

He seems to have remained in the Cape, for in June, 1876 he appears to have been sent out by Disney Roebuck to tour with an Italian ballet and opera troupe consisting of Signor Setragni, Signora Setragni, Signor Bossano, Signor Bossi, and the pianist Signor Nulli, ending with three concerts and a benefit in Cape Town at the beginning of November.

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 129, 129, 130, 150, 166, 175, 352, 364-5.

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