Mr Rathbone

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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. He would have been about 49 years of age when he is recorded as working in the theatre in Grahamstown.

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

Go to the ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities R

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page