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.

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [4]: pp. 388.

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

"James Rathbone" in Geni website, at https://www.geni.com/projects/1820-Settlers-Willson-s-Party/9965

"James Rathbone" RootsWeb.com at http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/SOUTH-AFRICA-EASTERN-CAPE/2006-03/1141831421

"James Rathbone" RootsWeb.com at http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/SOUTH-AFRICA/2003-09/1062572271

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