Bland Holt

Bland Holt
Born24 March 1851 
Died28 June 1942  (aged 91)
OccupationTheatrical producer 

Bland Holt (born Joseph Thomas Holt, (24 March 1851 – 28 June 1942)[1] was a comedian and theatrical producer, active in Australia.

Biography

Holt was the son of Joseph Frederick Holt (known as Clarance)[2] and his first wife Marian(known as Marie), née Brown. Holt was born at Norwich, England.[1]

Holt returned to England aged 14 years and became a professional actor. His first production was Paul Merritt's play New Babylon at the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, with Myra Kemble as the leading lady.[1] The play started a six week Sydney season on 24 April 1880 before moving to the Theatre Royal, Melbourne.[3]

Holt introduced the first motor car on stage.[1]

Holt wrote the play The Breaking of the Drought which was made into a film[4] in 1920.

Holt is buried in the Boroondara General Cemetery.[5]

Plays

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dennis Shoesmith, 'Holt, Joseph Thomas (Bland) (1851 - 1942)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 4, MUP, 1972, pp 413-414. Accessed 1 August 2009
  2. ^ Serle, Percival (1949). "Holt, Joseph Bland". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  3. ^ "The New Babylon". The Lorgnette. No. 3. 18 June 1880.
  4. ^ The Breaking of the Drought (1920) at imdb.com
  5. ^ mention of Holt's grave in Kew Cemetery Archived 2009-09-12 at the Wayback Machine accessed 1 August 2009

Media related to Bland Holt at Wikimedia Commons