Sketches of Glasgow theatre managers appeared in The Bailie on December 22, 1920, at the start of the traditional Christmas pantomime season.
Glasgwegian Hugh Macfarlane had been manager at the King's Theatre since it opened in 1904. He had been working for owners Howard & Wyndham for 33 years.
Harry F Ashton had been at the Theatre Royal for ten years. Born into a theatrical family, he had originally made his name in theatre advertising.
E W Crossley Taylor had spent most of his career in England before coming north to manage the Alhambra. Previously an actor and a stage manager, he was wounded on the Western Front in the First World War.
Former auctioneer and comedian Jock Kirkpatrick was in charge at the Pavilion. He was credited with contributing to the happy atmosphere which made the theatre popular with performers and audiences alike.
At the Coliseum, Louis Lewis was the youngest theatre manager in Glasgow. He had seen action in the First World War.
Irishman Harry Milne had become a well known figure in Glasgow since being appointed manager at Hengler's Circus in 1908. He was particularly successful in attracting a younger audience to the entertainment world.
A G A Clarke had left his job as manager at the Empire the week before his portrait appeared, to manage the London Hippodrome.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 052 BAI
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
Alhambra Theatre, Coliseum Theatre, Empire Theatre, Hengler's Circus, Howard & Wyndham, King's Theatre, Pavilion Theatre, theatre managers, Theatre Royal, theatres