H. R. Vigors

Captain H. R. Vigors was a member of the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot and served in Grahamstown and Keiskama Hoek between 1860 and 1862 shortly after the Xhosa cattle-killing movement and famine (1857-1858).

Biography

He was one of the Officers of the Regiment who produced shows for the entertainment of the troops and nearby civilians. Led by Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel T. Byrne, the regiment left Curragh-Camp, Ireland, on Dec 8, 1859, on HMS Vulcan. Accompanied by Lieutenant C. H. Newbatt, Ensign W. Malcolm, Ensign A. Fraser, 13 Sergeants, three drummers and 258 rank and file. On April 26, 1860, he left Grahamstown for Tamacha, arriving there on May 2.

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

Captain H. R. Vigors acted in three productions by the Officers of the Regiment.

October 8, 1860: Acted in the Officers of the Regiment's first performance of Sheridan's five-act comedy, The Rivals, (Sir Anthony Absolute).

(North Lincoln Sphinx, Vol 1, No 3, Grahamstown, November 1, 1860, page 30.)

December 28 & 30, 1861: Acted in the Officers of the Regiment's performance of J. M. Morton's one-act comedy, Dying for Love, set in Abergavenny. (Captain Fickleton).

(North Lincoln Sphinx, Vol 1, No 10, Christmas Supplement, 1861, page 146.)

December 28 & 30, 1861: Acted in the Officers of the Regiment's performance of Edward Morton's one-act farce, The Eton Boy. (Colonel Curry).

(North Lincoln Sphinx, Vol 1, No 10, Christmas Supplement, 1861, page 146.)