Arthur Reece
Arthur Reece | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Joseph Lee Colverd 5 February 1870 London, England |
| Died | 2 April 1964 (aged 94) |
| Occupation | Comic singer |
William Joseph Lee Colverd (5 February 1870 – 2 April 1964), who used the stage name Arthur Reece, was an English comedian and singer who performed in music halls.
Biography
William Colverd was born in London, the son of Jovial Joe Colverd (1849–1903), a music hall performer who sang patriotic songs dressed as the character John Bull. William worked in the civil service before taking the name Arthur Reece for his stage performances. He became well known as a comedian and singer in the style of Charles Godfrey, who gave Reece permission to sing his songs where he was not working himself.[1]
Reece became very popular with his performances of patriotic songs during the
In 1905, Reece was 'King Rat' in the charity, the Grand Order of Water Rats.[6] He continued to work long after the First World War, appearing in some of Charles Austin's productions in the 1930s, and as part of the "Cavalcade of Variety" at the 1935 Royal Variety Performance. His final stage appearances took place during the 1950s.[1]
He died in 1964, at the age of 94, at Brinsworth House in Twickenham.[5]
References
- ^ ISBN 0 236 40053 3.
- ^ Raymond Mander and Joe Mitchenson, British Music Hall: A story in pictures, Studio Vista, 1965, p.138
- ^ W. J. MacQueen-Pope, The Melodies Linger On: the Story of Music Hall, Allen, 1950, p.391
- ^ "Sons of the Sea", Folk Song and Music Hall. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b "When There Isn’t a Girl About", Folk Song and Music Hall. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ Past King Rats 1890-1965, Grand Order of Water Rats. Retrieved 3 January 2023.