Mr Rathbone

Mr Rathbone (19**-19**) was an amateur theatre enthusiast and possible actor in Grahamstown.

Biography

Nothing is known of him at present, beyond the name mentioned by P.W. Laidler and F.C.L. Bosman.

However, a 22 year old carpenter named James Rathbone is mentioned by the Geni website[1] as arriving in Cape Town in 1820 with his wife Susanna (Burling) as part of "Willson's Party" and according to RootsWeb.com as arriving in Grahamstown in 1823[2]. Apparently he married an Elizabeth Willans at some time and returned to live in the United Kingdom about 5 years later.[3].

Given his age and his trade, this is quite possibly the same person.

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

Cited as "Rathbone" in the Prologue of a performance of The Rivals, he is reported to have helped construct the first performance space for the Grahamstown Amateur Company in 1837, performing under the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense. He presumably also participated in the performances.