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, though a James Rathbone is mentioned in RootsWeb.com[1] as arriving in Grahamstown in 1823. Apparently he married an Elizabeth Willans at some time and returned to live in the United Kingdom about 5 yeas later.[2].

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.

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [3]: pp. 388.

P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce.

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