Amos Bailey

Amos Bailey (fl 1880s-1900s) was a Cape Town businessman, theatre lover, amateur performer and musical director.

Biography

He established himself in the new suburb of Woodstock as a grocer, provision merchant and draper, his business soon expanding to also serve Salt River and other suburbs.[1]

Founder and leading light of both the Musical and Dramatic Society (in 1888) and of the Woodstock Amateur Operatic Society in Woodstock, Cape Town.

He also participated as an actor in many of their productions, (e.g. playing the "Pirate King" in The Pirates of Penzance).

[JH/TH]

Sources

"Cape Town Firms: Amos Bailey, Board of Executors, R. Cane & Sons", The Cape Town Guide 1897[2]

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 51, 302, 423.

P.J. du Toit. 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica

Go to ESAT Bibliography