Roy Redgrave (1873–1922)
from Sun
"Wounded?"
"Yes."
"In the ankle?"
"Yes."
"Boer War?"
"Yes."
"A bullet got you at Paardeburg, climbing on your horse?"
"Yes—but how the devil—."
"It's alright, mate. I'm the bloke what fired the bullet!"
Mr. Roy Redgrave, who died yesterday afternoon, used to delight in telling his friends of this encounter with a former foe in Queensland. Long after he had returned from the Boer War, he met the sniper who had shot him on a sunlit morning at far-away Paardeburg. It is not known whether Mr. Redgrave retaliated on the occasion of the second meeting, or merely smiled reminiscently and shouted the retired sniper a drink. People who knew the dead actor's good nature believe that he chose the latter expedient.
Mr. Redgrave's death occurred at the Sacred Heart Hospice, Darlinghurst, where he had been since last Tuesday. He had been in bad health for several years, and his ordinarily brilliant work suffered, of course, from such a handicap. Everybody knew him, and welcomed his name on the J. C. Williamson programmes, and his popularity scarcely exceeded his versatility. In Shakespearean productions his performances in such roles as that of Mercutio will be long remembered with delight; and in the more lurid field of the stage villain his perfection of sinister suavity was always greatly in demand. Mr. Redgrave, whose last appearance was in the revival of "May-time," also did a considerable amount of film acting. He leaves a widow.
Original publication
Other Obituaries for Roy Redgrave
- Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 1922, p 14
- Age (Melbourne), 26 May 1922, p 9
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- short story (?) by Redgrave, Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW), 11 May 1895, p 6
- arrives in Australia to work with J. C. Williamson, Punch (Melbourne), 14 July 1904, p 32
- is the new leading actor for J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company; photo, Punch (Melbourne), 28 July 1904, p 32
- interview, Table Talk (Melbourne), 4 August 1904, p 17
- photo, Punch (Melbourne), 18 August 1904, p 17
- his acting is praised, Punch (Melbourne), 18 August 1904, p 30
- profile, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 17 September 1904, p 15
- accidentally stabs himself during a production of L'Aiglon in Sydney, Punch (Melbourne), 1 December 1904, p 32, column 3
- photo, Table Talk (Melbourne), 29 December 1904, p 100
- photo, Punch (Melbourne), 19 January 1905, p 21
- Ettie Carlisle, who is known as Redgrave's wife, is training the ballet of the Tittel-Brune Company, Sydney Sportsman, 15 March 1905, p 2, column 2
- Redgrave extends his contract with J. C. Williamson for another 12 months, Punch (Melbourne), 15 June 1905, p 31
- is the editor, writor, illustrator and publisher of a new magazine, The Eaglet, Mercury (Hobart), 16 August 1905, p 8
- Tittell Brune is the fashion editor, Florrie Gleeson and Lillian Myers write the fashion notes, Maurice Dudley is the cartoonist while Dale Rivenall is the fighting editor of 'The Eaglet', Critic (Adelaide), 23 August 1905, p 9
- a local publisher is negotiating for the publication of a book which Redgrave has just completed, Punch (Melbourne), 25 January 1906, p 34
- photo, Punch (Melbourne), 8 February 1906, p 18
- is no 'dandy' off the stage, Gadfly (Adelaide), 28 February 1906, p 18
- is a stirling actor, according to critic Peter Quince, Punch (Melbourne), 15 March 1906, p 32
- his wife, Ellen Maud Redgrave, who lives in London, is granted a divorce, Register (Adelaide), 17 March 1906, p 7
- Mrs Redgrave (Ettie Carlisle) has left Melbourne on board the Orontes for London, Table Talk (Melbourne), 29 March 1906, p 24
- shipping list for the Orontes, Age (Melbourne), 28 March 1906, p 6
- Redgrave leaves Australia following news of his divorce; it is alleged he has another wife in Australia (Ettie Carlisle) and one in America, Daily News (Perth), 21 May 1906, p 3
- he is appearing in a melodrama in London, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 19 January 1907, p 15
- photo, Sunday Sun (Sydney), 20 January 1907, p 1
- is touring provincial towns in England, Daily News (Perth), 17 April 1907, p 4
- is turning his attention to sketch writing, Australian Star (Sydney), 10 December 1907, p 4
- continues to do good work in sketch writing, Sydney Sportsman (Surry Hills, Sydney), 1 January 1908, p 2
- appears in a monologue written and produced by himself, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 11 January 1908, p 4
- is to play the leading man in the play 'Robbery Under Arms' in London, Table Talk (Melbourne), 23 April 1908, p 20
- review of his role as Captain Starlight in 'Robbery Under Arms', Daily News (Perth), 2 May 1908, p 7
- theatrical producer William Anderson is arranging Redgrave's return to Australia, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 20 February 1909, p 15
- is to leave London by the Ophir this month, Table Talk (Melbourne), 11 March 1909, p 9
- will arrive in Melbourne in April, Punch (Melbourne), 8 April 1909, p 34
- interview, Daily News (Perth), 22 April 1909, p 4
- has a 12-month contract with William Anderson's theatre company, Advertiser (Adelaide), 23 April 1909, p 10
- interview, Advertiser (Adelaide), 28 April 1909, p 9
- review of Redgrave's role as Dave Goulburn in 'The Man from the Outback', Age (Melbourne), 3 May 1909, p 11
- says he intends to remain in Australia, Punch (Melbourne), 6 May 1909, p 34, column 2
- is one of many actors whose hobby is to write stories, sketches and plays, Table Talk (Melbourne) 20 May 1909, p 26, column 1
- is arranging for the production, in England, of a new play he is writing, Punch (Melbourne), 27 May 1909, p 34, column 1
- has written a one-act musical farce, 'The Merry Widow Twankey' which was produced in Wolverhampton (UK) last month, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 12 June 1909, p 15
- is fined almost 7 pounds for failing to pay for lodgings and goods, Ballarat Star (Vic), 3 July 1909, p 3
- sells the Australian rights of his new play, Punch (Melbourne), 15 July 1909, p 38
- Daisy and Michael Redgrave arrive in Fremantle aboard the Otway, West Australian, 12 August 1909, p 4
- his sister, actress Dolly Ellsworthy, is making plans to tour Australia with her own players, Punch (Melbourne), 29 July 1909, p 18
- is appearing in 'The Face at the Window' with Daisy Scudamore, the daughter of a well-known dramatic author, Punch (Melbourne), 26 August 1909, p 36
- Daisy Scudamore is, in her private life, Mrs Roy Redgrave, Punch (Melbourne), 26 August 1909, p 38
- the Anderson Dramatic Company is rehearsing Redgrave's play, 'Gipsy Jack', Punch (Melbourne), 30 September 1909, p 34
- Daisy Scudamore also appeared in the play, Argus (Melbourne), 4 October 1909, p 9
- the company, including Scudamore, is to appear in a play in Adelaide at Christmas, Evening Star (Boulder, WA), 23 October 1909, p 3
- Redgrave has written a number of short plays which will soon be seen in Sydney, Sydney Sportsman, 23 March 1910, p 3
- Daisy Scudamore is a member of the Anderson Theatre company, Argus (Melbourne), 28 March 1910, p 7
- rejoins the William Anderson Theatre Company, Sunday Sun (Sydney), 17 April 1910, p 3
- is writing a new version of the play adapted from Hall Caine's novel, 'The Christian', Sunday Sun (Sydney), 3 July 1910, p 3
- has just finished writing a drama called 'The Black Streak', Sydney Sportsman, 6 July 1910, p 3, column 1
- the play will be produced shortly in Melbourne, Week (Brisbane), 8 July 1910, p 10, column 2
- it is believed he is writing a play based on the Crippen case, Prahran Telegraph (Vic), 8 October 1910, p 6
- the play was written by William Anderson and Redgrave, Sun (Kalgoorlie, WA), 9 October 1910, p 13, column 3
- the play, called 'By Wireless Telegraphy', will soon go into production, Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas), 14 October 1910, p 7, column 3
- Daisy Scudamore returns to England on the Orontes with her son - see shipping list, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 26 October 1910, p 10
- review of 'By Wireless Telegraphy'; the author's name is given as Anson Grave, Punch (Melbourne), 27 October 1910, p 35
- review of the play, Weekly Times (Melbourne), 29 October 1910, p 2
- William Anderson's company is to perform Redgrave's new dramatisation of the book, 'The Christian', Referee (Sydney), 4 January 1911, p 16, column 1
- review of the play and performance by the company, Age (Melbourne), 16 January 1911, p 8
- review of the play, Leader (Melbourne), 21 January 1911, p 34
- Melbourne theatre critics praise Redgrave's role as John Storm in 'The Christian', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), 28 January 1911, p 7
- Redgrave says that although he was born in England he grew up in Canada and has also lived in India, America and Africa, Table Talk (Melbourne), 2 February 1911, p 25, column 3
- says that he spent his boyhood in Canada and that two of his uncles occupy high positions in the clergy, Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), 4 February 1911, p 6
- William Anderson commissions Redgrave to dramatise Thackery's 'Vanity Fair', Referee (Sydney), 8 February 1911, p 16
- the Anderson Company will shortly present Redgrave's new version of 'Sorrows of Satan', Weekly Times (Melbourne), 11 February 1911, p 7, column 2
- William Anderson extends Redgrave's engagement as a leading man for another year, Australasian (Melbourne), 4 March 1911, p 28, column 2
- profile, Sunday Times (Sydney), 1 October 1911, p 20
- review of Redgrave's play 'The Sorrows of Satan', Argus (Melbourne), 9 October 1911, p 15
- review of the play, Punch (Melbourne), 12 October 1911, p 36
- is taken to court for the non-payment of several debts, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 November 1911, p 9
- the case highlights the low wages paid to actors, Sunday Times (Perth), 19 November 1911, p 21, column 2
- has travelled extensively during his life, Telegraph (Brisbane), 20 January 1912, p 17, column 3
- accepts William Anderson's offer for a considerable extension of his engagement, Australasian (Melbourne), 20 January 1912, p 28
- some of Redgrave's plays are being toured in England; he is now writing an Australian drama to be called, 'One for the Boys', Table Talk (Melbourne), 8 February 1912, p 24, column 2
- the silent film of 'The Christian' is to be shown in Perth this week, Truth (Perth), 17 February 1912, p 10
- Redgrave is suffering from blood poisoning, Truth (Brisbane), 28 April 1912, p 6, column 3
- following a tempting offer Redgrave will appear for the first time in vaudeville, Table Talk (Melbourne), 25 July 1912, p 24, column 2
- leaves the William Anderson Company to appear in vaudeville, Punch (Melbourne), 1 August 1912, p 42, column 4
- is to play Captain Starlight in the play, 'Robbery Under Arms', Telegraph (Brisbane), 12 October 1912, p 7
- review of his role as Captain Starlight, Telegraph (Brisbane), 21 October 1912, p 5, column 2
- photo, Critic (Adelaide), 25 December 1912, p 12
- discusses the differences between stage and screen acting, Mail (Adelaide), 28 December 1912, p 6
- celebrates his 34th birthday, Punch (Melbourne), 23 January 1913, p 38, column 3
- is to play the hero, Rufus Dawes, in the play 'For the Term of His Natual Life', Punch (Melbourne), 30 January 1913, p 36
- review of the play, Age (Melbourne), 3 February 1913, p 10
- review of the play, Punch (Melbourne), 6 February 1913, p 36, column 2
- as well as acting Redgrave can write, sometimes illustrates his work and has considerable musical talents, Punch (Melbourne), 20 February 1913, p 42
- is at his best playing character roles, Sun (Kalgoorlie, WA), 9 March 1913, p 13
- is to recite Adam Lindsay Gordon's poem 'The Sick Stockrider', at The New Theatre, during the showing of the silent film of the poem in which Redgrave stars, Standard (Port Melbourne), 4 October 1913, p 2
- starred in the film, 'The Remittance Man', Mail (Adelaide), 4 October 1913, p 6
- starred in the film 'Moondyne', Williamstown Chronicle (Vic), 4 October 1913, p 3
- ad for the release of his latest silent films, Referee (Sydney), 15 October 1913, p 16, column 2
- is engaged by William Anderson to write another thriller play, Punch (Melbourne), 27 November 1913, p 39
- his film, 'The Reprieve' is released, Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), 23 January 1914, p 6
- has been ill, Queensland Figaro (Brisbane), 24 July 1915, p 19
- photo, Sunday Times (Sydney), 22 August 1915, p 6
- lists ten 'demandments' of a would-be actor, Advertiser (Adelaide), 25 September 1915, p 6
- appears in an ad for a cough remedy, Weekly Times Annual, 4 November 1915, p 8
- tried to enlist in the army but was knocked back because of poor eyesight, Punch (Melbourne), 2 March 1916, p 38
- reminisces, Mail (Adelaide), 2 September 1916, p 7
- list of his achievements, Mail (Adelaide), 9 September 1916, p 7
- makes a sixth, failed attempt to enlist in the army, Daily News (Perth), 14 October 1916, p 5
- review of the film, The Hayseeds, in which he plays the father, Advertiser (Adelaide), 3 February 1917, p 11
- appears in an ad for Rexona, in which he claims he was shot in an ankle during the Boer War, Shepparton Advertiser (Vic), 3 September 1917, p 2
- has written a new sketch, 'The Executioner's Daughter' which is to be staged shortly, Graphic of Australia (Melbourne) 8 March 1918, p 26, column 2
- 'Lavender and Blossom' is the latest title of his new comedy, Graphic of Australia (Melbourne), 15 March 1918, p 26, column 3
- wrote some pantomines, a drama and the musical comedy 'Lord Dunno Who' for English actor Harry Roxbury, Mail (Adelaide), 16 March 1918, p 6
- gives his name to an ad for Clements Tonic in which he claims he was seriously ill during the recent influenza epidemic, Mail (Adelaide), 8 February 1919, p 10
- is retained by William Anderson as stage director of Anderson's productions at the Tivoli Theatre, Journal (Adelaide), 26 April 1919, p 4, column 3
- is to appear in the comedy drama, 'The Rat in a Hole' which he wrote, Mail (Adelaide), 7 June 1919, p 6, column 2
- an order of 10 shillings a week is made against Redgrave for payment for accommodation owed since 1916, Daily Herald (Adelaide), 27 June 1919, p 6
- is commissioned by William Anderson to write the scenarios for the picturisation of several of his most popular plays, Critic (Hobart), 1 April 1921, p 3, column 1
- has written a potted drama 'The Traitor' especially for actor Laurence Dunbar, Numurkah Leader (Vic), 13 April 1921, p 2
- completes a new musical comedy 'The Pommie Bride', Mirror (Perth), 24 April 1921, p 4, column 1
- Redgrave acts in the evening and writes every spare minute of his time, Mirror (Perth), 4 June 1921, p 4
- review of 'The Pommie Bride', Register (Adelaide), 10 January 1922, p 7
- is seriously ill, Sun (Sydney), 26 March 1922, p 21
- is recovering, Sydney Morning Herald, 8 April 1922, p 15
- death notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 May 1922, p 8
- Roy's son, Michael, made his first appearance on stage with his parents in Melbourne at the age of two, Age (Melbourne), 25 February 1939, p 16
- Michael says he came to Australia at the age of six months and was baptised here, Canberra Times, 16 February 1973, p 9
- the silent film, 'Robbery Under Arms', made in 1920, which stars Roy Redgrave as a bushranger, has been restored, Canberra Times, 11 May 1978, p 13
- image from the film, Canberra Times, 24 February 1979, p 15
- Roy's granddaughter, Vanessa Redgrave, visits the National Film Archive to view excerpts of two of her grandfather's silent films, Canberra Times, 21 February 1982, p 3
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Redgrave, Roy
- Anderson, William (colleague)
- Bailey, Albert Edward (colleague)
Citation details
'Redgrave, Roy (1873–1922)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/redgrave-roy-27541/text34946, accessed 7 April 2025.
Roy Redgrave, by Johnstone O'Shannessy & Falk, 1906
State Library of Victoria, 49218545
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Redgrave, George Ellsworthy
Birth
26 April,
1873
London,
Middlesex,
England
Death
25 May,
1922
(aged 49)
Darlinghurst, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.