Difference between revisions of "W.R. Clifton"

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[[W.R. Clifton]] (18*-1877) was an experienced British actor.
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[[W.R. Clifton]] (1830s-1877) was a British actor and stage manager.
  
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== Biography ==
  
Newly employed and  working for [[Disney Roebuck]] in Cape Town, popular in South Africa. In 1877 he committed suicide, apparently as a result of depression due to an undisclosed illness, the heat and overwork.  
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Described by a writer in the ''[[Cape Argus]]'' of 22 November, 1877, as "about 40 years of age and a somewhat stout in person, of a very genial disposition", he apparently had many friends and had built up a quite a reputation in London before he came to South Africa on two occasions.
  
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He died in South Africa in November, 1877.
  
Return to [[ESAT Personalities C]]
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==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
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He was recruited by  [[Disney Roebuck]] for his first company to arrive in Cape Town in November, 1873, for a season lasting till March of 1874. He was billed as the "Acting and Stage-Manager" for the company, but also appeared in a major roles to good effect, for example Craven's ''[[Milky White]]''. He was however prone to illness and depression it would seem.
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He is next mentioned in October, 1877, when he and the actress [[Constance Young]] were brought out to Cape Town in October as reinforcements for  [[Disney Roebuck]]'s company for its new season there.
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However, a combination of a long and painful illness, an accident aboard the ship coming over, the African heat and overwork seems to have got the better of him this time round, for he committed suicide towards the end of November, after only five weeks in the country. The [[Theatre Royal]] was closed for two days (22-23 November) in view of this and he was buried in an English churchyard in Cape Town.
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== Sources ==
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''[[Cape Argus]]'' of 22 November, 1877 (cited by [[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]], 1980: p. 353, footnote 252)
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[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp.306, 308, 311, 315, 319, 353 and 363.
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Go to the  [[ESAT Bibliography]]
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== Return to ==
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Return to [[ESAT Personalities C]]  
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]]
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 07:07, 24 January 2022

W.R. Clifton (1830s-1877) was a British actor and stage manager.

Biography

Described by a writer in the Cape Argus of 22 November, 1877, as "about 40 years of age and a somewhat stout in person, of a very genial disposition", he apparently had many friends and had built up a quite a reputation in London before he came to South Africa on two occasions.

He died in South Africa in November, 1877.

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

He was recruited by Disney Roebuck for his first company to arrive in Cape Town in November, 1873, for a season lasting till March of 1874. He was billed as the "Acting and Stage-Manager" for the company, but also appeared in a major roles to good effect, for example Craven's Milky White. He was however prone to illness and depression it would seem.

He is next mentioned in October, 1877, when he and the actress Constance Young were brought out to Cape Town in October as reinforcements for Disney Roebuck's company for its new season there.

However, a combination of a long and painful illness, an accident aboard the ship coming over, the African heat and overwork seems to have got the better of him this time round, for he committed suicide towards the end of November, after only five weeks in the country. The Theatre Royal was closed for two days (22-23 November) in view of this and he was buried in an English churchyard in Cape Town.

Sources

Cape Argus of 22 November, 1877 (cited by Bosman, 1980: p. 353, footnote 252)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.306, 308, 311, 315, 319, 353 and 363.

Go to the ESAT Bibliography

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Return to ESAT Personalities C

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page