OLD ACTOR’S DEATH

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 427, 7 May 1937, Page 3

OLD ACTOR’S DEATH

LINK WITH THE PAST Mr Charles Berkeley Mr. Charles Berkeley, who died at Devonport this week, was a wellknown figure of the old time theatrical world. Mr. Berkeley, who‘was 78, suffered a stroke and he did not recover consciousness. His real name was Robertson, Berkeley being his stage name. He w«s a native of London and received part of his education at Eton. In the 40 years prior to 1926 Mr. Berkeley was one of the beet-knoWn men in the theatrical profession in New Zealand and Australia, having served both on the stage, and in the management. For the last IS years before his retirement he was one of the touring managers of the Williamson firm; and he was the last member of its staff to retire on the superannuation scheme whicdi Mr, J. C| Williamson shortly before his d&ath arranged for all his oldest associates'. Afi*. Berkeley had, sdme experience as an actor before, as a young man, he left England for Australia. In Comedy and Tragedy. There he became at once associated with the Williamson companies, and was connected with them through their various' changes of management, first as Williamson, Garner and Musgrove, and' again when the Tait brothers and other prominent Australian managers joined the firm and it took its present form of J. C. Williamson, Limited. When first seen on the New Zealand stage Mr. Berkeley played mostly in light comedy parts, but he appeared at various times in all classes of di’ama. He acted in Shakespearean Plays with Hoskins, the American tragedian. Subsequently he appeared in the original production in Australia, of “The Mystery of the Hansom Cab," with George Darrell. In the second revival .in Sydney Struck Oil” he also had an important role, J. C. Williamson and Maggie Moore being the principals of the cast. Apart from drama, Mr Berkeley had a good deal of experience in musical comedy. For instance, he . was principal comedian in the first J, G. Williamson. Cdm l par,y to play “The Gaiety Girl” in New Zealand. ‘‘Front of the House.” About 1908 Mr. Berkeley was transferred by Williamsons to “tbo front of the house,” and soon became one of the most trusted members of the firm’s business staff. In his time he was through the Dominion as manager for the tours of a great variety of theatrical combinations, musicians and other celebrities, his last trip having been with the famous soprano Galli-Curci.

Mr. Berkeley retired from the theatrical arena in 1926 and settled at Tauranga. There in bachelor quarters, seeking onjfv (the company of the many friends his geniality and rich fund of anecdotes made for him and of any old professional associates Who sought him out, he passed several happy years. Four years ago he went to Devonport. In the course of his career h e came in contact with most of the Old World celebrities who visited the Dominion, and his book “On and Off the Stage,” published in 1927, contains reminiscences of these that will be a permanent record' of the theatrical life of the colonies. He has no relatives in the Dominion, but Is suisvived by two daughters, who live in Sydney.