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Arthur Lloyd Tours America and Canada
Above - Advertisement from the Era
Annual of 1895 - Mr. Arthur
Lloyd The great comedian and vocalist, author and composer of 1,000
songs. After most successful seasons in Theatres
in London and Provinces
with his great drama "Ballyvogan,"
and his farcical, musical comedy, "Our Party," and in Variety
Theatre with his Comical Musical Trios and Sketches,
will return in the Fall of 1895
to the United States and Canada. - Courtesy Jennifer
Carnell.
Unfortunately one of his tours in the USA was not a success, due to reasons beyond his control, and left him severely out of pocket. On his return to the UK he found all the halls booked out and nowhere to perform. Fellow artistes rallied round and a Benefit was held for him several months later at the Royal, Holborn (see below).
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Arthur Lloyd for forty-five years has been an entertainer
in theatres and music halls, sometimes in London variety
theatres, on other occasions touring
with his "Two Hours Fun" concert company.
In the theatres he has presented his comedy, Our Party, and his drama,
ballyvogan. He was once lessee for three
years of the Queen's Theatre, Dublin,
where his lavish expenditure on the theatre and performers was not
equal to his returns, and he left Dublin at the end of his lease,
having lost a little fortune. He commenced again in London, and having
made some money, in a few years later opened a new hall in Glasgow.
Not being in locality suitable to his style of catering, in a few
months he lost all again. In 1893,
having an offer to go to America with his son
and daughter - on a salary and percentage - to produce his musical
comedy, Our Party, the management to provide the rest of the company
and all else, he accepted the offer, thinking it would revive his
fortunes. Unfortunately it was the World's
Fair year at Chicago. Everybody in the States and Canada - from
every city, town and village - who could afford to go rushed off to
Chicago. Consequently there were few people left to attend amusements.
Many old-established American companies broke up, and the actors and
actresses returned to New York, and were reduced to such straits that
benefits were got up all around for them. The man that engaged Arthur
Lloyd bolted six weeks after he had commenced, owing him seven hundred
dollars, and leaving him without a cent, although he had paid the
rest of the company. Arthur Lloyd ascertained the names and various
towns he was booked at, communicated with the managers, and carried
the tour till Christmas. Finding there was no money in it for him,
he finished with the comedy company. He then, with his son and daughter
and a pianist, toured through Canada till May 1894,
and made enough money to pay his way and fares home. He found on his
return that the system of booking far ahead had grown to such an extent
that he could not get in anywhere for several months, and the debts
accumulated during the American misfortunes has been a drag on him
ever since, ti Above right - Another reworking
of one of Arthur Lloyd's popular songs. |
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The
Arthur Lloyd Benefit
ll
at last, his funds being exhausted, his friends have proposed a benefit.
Arthur Lloyd has spent thousands of pounds in and on the profession,
and in no other ventures, consequently professionals should support
him. Those artistes who have so materially benefited by singing his
songs (sometimes without asking permission) should help the success
of the benefit in every way they can. It will take place at the