W.R. Clifton
W.R. Clifton (18*-1877) was an experienced British actor.
Contents
Biography
He built up a quite a reputation in London before he came to South Africa.
In 1877, while still in South Africa, he committed suicide, apparently as a result of depression due to an undisclosed illness, the heat and overwork.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
He was recruited by Disney Roebuck for his first company to arrive in Cape Town in November, 1873. He was billed as the "Acting and Stage-Manager" for the company, but also appeared in a number of roles, including Though apparently suffering from depression brought on by ill-health and overwork, Clifton would become quite popular in South Africa over the next few years, till his unexpected death in 1877.
Sources
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 1923. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.306, 308, 311, 315, 319, 353 and 363.
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