Gilbert Fletcher - Revision history

Darryl: /* Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa */

2024-04-18T07:57:15Z

Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa

Fogterop at 14:02, 6 May 2020

2020-05-06T14:02:34Z

Fogterop at 13:52, 6 May 2020

2020-05-06T13:52:37Z

Fogterop at 13:51, 6 May 2020

2020-05-06T13:51:50Z

Fogterop at 13:48, 6 May 2020

2020-05-06T13:48:43Z

Satj: /* Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa */

2020-05-04T08:17:12Z

Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa

Satj: /* Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa */

2020-05-04T08:15:36Z

Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa

Satj: /* Biography */

2020-05-04T08:15:23Z

Biography

Satj: /* Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa */

2020-05-04T08:12:58Z

Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa

Satj at 08:11, 4 May 2020

2020-05-04T08:11:54Z

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 In 1911 he was in Tasmania to pave the way for the band of [[John Philip Sousa]], which was brought out by Branscombe. Just prior to that Sousa had been in South Africa and Fletcher’s close relationship with Branscombe resulted him in becoming Branscombe’s business manager when that gentleman took over [[His Majesty’s Theatre]] in Johannesburg for a season.
-His first assignment was the management of [[Henry Herbert]] and his [[English Shakespearean Company]] and he was left in charge of the theatre when [[Frank Wheeler]] and [[H. Barlow Coulthard]] were away.  After that he continued to work as advance and/or touring manager for groups ranging from the [[Royal Welsh Ladies Choir]] and the [[John Ridding Opera Co.]] to the [[Ethel Irving]] Company.  In 1914 he was the advance agent of the [[J.C. Williamson]] Comedy Company in Cape Town and was even involved in the promotion of the new invention of Kinemacolor.  However, by 1915 he had clearly decided that it was time for some permanence in his life and in November he succeeded [[James Montgomery]] as manager of the [[Palladium Theatre]].
+His first assignment was the management of [[Henry Herbert]] and his [[English Shakespearean Company]] and he was left in charge of the theatre when [[Frank Wheeler]] and [[H. Barlow Coulthard]] were away.  After that he continued to work as advance and/or touring manager for groups ranging from the [[Royal Welsh Ladies Choir]] and the [[John Ridding Opera Company]] to the [[Ethel Irving]] Company.  In 1914 he was the advance agent of the [[J.C. Williamson]] Comedy Company in Cape Town and was even involved in the promotion of the new invention of Kinemacolor.  However, by 1915 he had clearly decided that it was time for some permanence in his life and in November he succeeded [[James Montgomery]] as manager of the [[Palladium Theatre]].
 In 1916 he was the circuit manager of the [[African Theatres Trust]] and in 1918 he became the manager of the [[Empire Palace of Varieties]].  Popular with both theatregoers and touring companies, he was described as tall, debonair and genial and throughout his career, he was very involved in the cultural and social life of Johannesburg, making theatres available for charity events and fundraising concerts for the war effort.

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 == Sources ==
-''[[Rand Daily Mail]]'', Johannesburg, 27 August 1933
+''[[Rand Daily Mail]]'', Johannesburg, 30 August 1933
 ''[[Rand Daily Mail]]'', Johannesburg, 1 September 1933

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 6 May 2020
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−	'''Gilbert Fletcher''' (b. Melbourne, //1877 - d. Johannesburg, 29/08/1933) was a theatrical agent and theatre manager.	+	'''Gilbert Fletcher''' (b. Melbourne, //1877 - d. Johannesburg, 27/08/1933) was a theatrical agent and theatre manager.

	== Biography ==		== Biography ==

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 == Sources ==
-''[[Rand Daily Mail]]'', Johannesburg, 30 August 1931
+''[[Rand Daily Mail]]'', Johannesburg, 27 August 1933
-''[[Rand Daily Mail]]'', Johannesburg, 1 September 1931
+''[[Rand Daily Mail]]'', Johannesburg, 1 September 1933
 E-mail correspondence with Ian Fletcher (Melbourne, Australia) - 22 September, 2019 and subsequent dates.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:48, 6 May 2020
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−	'''Gilbert Fletcher''' (1877-~~1931~~) was a theatrical agent and theatre manager.	+	'''Gilbert Fletcher''' (b. Melbourne, //1877 - d. Johannesburg, 29/08/1933) was a theatrical agent and theatre manager.

	== Biography ==		== Biography ==

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 In 1916 he was the circuit manager of the [[African Theatres Trust]] and in 1918 he became the manager of the [[Empire Palace of Varieties]].  Popular with both theatregoers and touring companies, he was described as tall, debonair and genial and throughout his career, he was very involved in the cultural and social life of Johannesburg, making theatres available for charity events and fundraising concerts for the war effort.
-In October 1922 it was announced that he would be going to Australia for 12 months and, in fact, he accompanied actress [[Gertrude Elliott]] ([[Lady Forbes-Robertson]]) on her tour of that country.  Upon his return he became manager of the large and ornate [[His Majesty’s Theatre]].
+In October 1922 it was announced that he would be going to Australia for 12 months and, in fact, he accompanied actress [[Gertrude Elliott]] ([[Lady Forbes-Robertson]]) on her tour of that country.  Upon his return he became manager of the large and ornate [[His Majesty’s Theatre]], where he remained till his early death in 1931.
 == Sources ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:15, 4 May 2020
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	==Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa==		==Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa==
		+
		+	In 1911 he was in Tasmania to pave the way for the band of [[John Philip Sousa]], which was brought out by Branscombe. Just prior to that Sousa had been in South Africa and Fletcher’s close relationship with Branscombe resulted him in becoming Branscombe’s business manager when that gentleman took over [[His Majesty’s Theatre]] in Johannesburg for a season.

	His first assignment was the management of [[Henry Herbert]] and his [[English Shakespearean Company]] and he was left in charge of the theatre when [[Frank Wheeler]] and [[H. Barlow Coulthard]] were away. After that he continued to work as advance and/or touring manager for groups ranging from the [[Royal Welsh Ladies Choir]] and the [[John Ridding Opera Co.]] to the [[Ethel Irving]] Company. In 1914 he was the advance agent of the [[J.C. Williamson]] Comedy Company in Cape Town and was even involved in the promotion of the new invention of Kinemacolor. However, by 1915 he had clearly decided that it was time for some permanence in his life and in November he succeeded [[James Montgomery]] as manager of the [[Palladium Theatre]].		His first assignment was the management of [[Henry Herbert]] and his [[English Shakespearean Company]] and he was left in charge of the theatre when [[Frank Wheeler]] and [[H. Barlow Coulthard]] were away. After that he continued to work as advance and/or touring manager for groups ranging from the [[Royal Welsh Ladies Choir]] and the [[John Ridding Opera Co.]] to the [[Ethel Irving]] Company. In 1914 he was the advance agent of the [[J.C. Williamson]] Comedy Company in Cape Town and was even involved in the promotion of the new invention of Kinemacolor. However, by 1915 he had clearly decided that it was time for some permanence in his life and in November he succeeded [[James Montgomery]] as manager of the [[Palladium Theatre]].

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 == Biography ==
-Gilbert Edwin Fletcher was born in the Melbourne suburb of Flemington, the son of Jacob Fletcher and his wife, Emily Moss in 1877.  Initially his father was probably a grocery clerk, but in 1888 he and another employee took over the business from the original owner (his uncle) and established Fletcher, Chester & Co, dealing in groceries, wine and spirits.  It’s not known what Gilbert did in his early years, but between 1906 and 1909 a G.E. Fletcher was an active member of the Sydney Muffs, a local amateur group.  By 1909 Gilbert Fletcher was professionally involved in the theatre world as the touring manager of [[Edward Branscombe]]’s Scarlet Troubadours and Fred Graham’s New English Comedy Company in Australia.  His duties also took him to New Zealand, which is where, in December 1910, he married Helen (Lella) Williams.  He and Lella, who had been a member of the [[Quinlan Opera Company]] in 1912, were divorced in 1918 and shortly afterwards he married Vera Roche (born Mirls) who had been a witness at his first wedding.  (Trivia: One of the witnesses at Fletcher’s second marriage was [[Mabel May]], who would later become Mrs. [[I.W. Schlesinger]].) Lella subsequently married Richard Norton and her and Gilbert’s daughter, Betty, adopted her stepfather’s surname when she went onto the stage and made some films as [[Betty Norton]].  Gilbert and Vera’s marriage didn’t last either and they were divorced in 1923.  He died in Johannesburg on 29 August, 1931.
+Gilbert Edwin Fletcher was born in the Melbourne suburb of Flemington, the son of Jacob Fletcher and his wife, Emily Moss in 1877.  Initially his father was probably a grocery clerk, but in 1888 he and another employee took over the business from the original owner (his uncle) and established Fletcher, Chester & Co, dealing in groceries, wine and spirits.  It’s not known what Gilbert did in his early years, but between 1906 and 1909 a G.E. Fletcher was an active member of the Sydney Muffs, a local amateur group.  By 1909 Gilbert Fletcher was professionally involved in the theatre world as the touring manager of [[Edward Branscombe]]’s Scarlet Troubadours and Fred Graham’s New English Comedy Company in Australia.  His duties also took him to New Zealand, which is where, in December 1910, he married Helen (Lella) Williams, who had been a member of the [[Quinlan Opera Company]] in 1912. He and Lella were divorced in 1918 and shortly afterwards he married Vera Roche (born Mirls) who had been a witness at his first wedding.  (Trivia: One of the witnesses at Fletcher’s second marriage was [[Mabel May]], who would later become Mrs. [[I.W. Schlesinger]].)
-In 1911 he was in Tasmania to pave the way for the band of [[John Philip Sousa]], which was brought out by Branscombe. Just prior to that Sousa had been in South Africa and Fletcher’s close relationship with Branscombe resulted him in becoming Branscombe’s business manager when that gentleman took over [[His Majesty’s Theatre]] in Johannesburg for a season.
+Lella subsequently married Richard Norton and her and Gilbert’s daughter, Betty, adopted her stepfather’s surname when she went onto the stage and made some films as [[Betty Norton]].  Gilbert and Vera’s marriage didn’t last either and they were divorced in 1923.  He died in Johannesburg on 29 August, 1931.
 ==Contribution to theatre, film, media and performasnce in South Africa==