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Emile Littler 1903 - 1985

Emile Littler was born on September 9, 1903 in Ramsgate, Kent County, England United Kingdom, and died at age 81 years old on January 23, 1985 in Sussex U.K..

Emile Littler

September 9, 1903

Ramsgate, Kent County, England, United Kingdom

January 23, 1985

Sussex, U.K.

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Emile Littler Emile Littler (1903 - 1985)

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Emile Littler's History: 1903 - 1985

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Introduction

Sir Emile Littler (9 September 1903 – 23 January 1985), born Emile Richeux, was an English theatrical impresario, producer and author. Life and career Littler was born in Ramsgate, Kent, in the south east of England, the younger son in the family of five children of Jules Richeux (1863–1911), a cigar importer, and his wife, Agnes May, née Paisey (b. 1874). Richeux became a theatrical proprietor, leasing the Ramsgate Victoria Pavilion from 1906, while Agnes Richeux leased the Royal Artillery Theatre, Woolwich, from 1909. In 1914, three years after Richeux's death, his widow married the theatre manager Frank Rolison Littler (1879–1940), who adopted the five children, all of whom took his surname. The elder son Prince, and one of the daughters, Blanche, also went into theatrical management. After private education at Stratford-upon-Avon and a brief start as an actor, Littler turned to backstage work, serving as assistant manager of a theatre in Southend-on-Sea in 1922, and then as assistant stage manager of Sir Barry Jackson's Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He worked in the US for four years between 1927 and 1931, for managements including the Shuberts, and after returning to Britain he became manager and licensee of the Birmingham Rep in September 1931. In 1933 Littler married the actress Cora Goffin; there were two daughters of the marriage. The following year he set up in management on his own account. His theatrical productions included: Victoria Regina, 1066 and All That, Once in a Lifetime, Song of Norway, Annie Get Your Gun and Zip Goes a Million, and revivals of The Maid of the Mountains, The Quaker Girl, Lilac Time, The Student Prince and The Desert Song. Littler presented more than two hundred Christmas pantomimes in London and the larger cities of the British Isles; he was author or co-author of many of them. He controlled the Palace Theatre, London from 1946 to 1983 and had two stints as President of the Society of West End Theatre Managers: 1964–67 and 1969–70. He also served on the Board of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. He was a racehorse owner, owning the horses Jack & Jill, Astafa, and Irish Ball. Littler retired from producing in 1973 and was knighted the following year. He died at his home in Sussex at the age of 81.
09/9

1903

Birthday

September 9, 1903

Birthdate

Ramsgate, Kent County, England United Kingdom

Birthplace

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Early Life & Education

. After private education at Stratford-upon-Avon he became an actor.
Professional Career

Emile Littler Sir Emile Littler (9 September 1903 – 23 January 1985), born Emile Richeux, was an English theatrical impresario, producer and author. Life and career Littler was born in Ramsgate, Kent, in the south east of England, the younger son in the family of five children of Jules Richeux (1863–1911), a cigar importer, and his wife, Agnes May, née Paisey (b. 1874). Richeux became a theatrical proprietor, leasing the Ramsgate Victoria Pavilion from 1906, while Agnes Richeux leased the Royal Artillery Theatre, Woolwich, from 1909. In 1914, three years after Richeux's death, his widow married the theatre manager Frank Rolison Littler (1879–1940), who adopted the five children, all of whom took his surname. The elder son Prince, and one of the daughters, Blanche, also went into theatrical management. After private education at Stratford-upon-Avon and a brief start as an actor, Littler turned to backstage work, serving as assistant manager of a theatre in Southend-on-Sea in 1922, and then as assistant stage manager of Sir Barry Jackson's Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He worked in the US for four years between 1927 and 1931, for managements including the Shuberts, and after returning to Britain he became manager and licensee of the Birmingham Rep in September 1931. In 1933 Littler married the actress Cora Goffin; there were two daughters of the marriage. The following year he set up in management on his own account. His theatrical productions included: Victoria Regina, 1066 and All That, Once in a Lifetime, Song of Norway, Annie Get Your Gun and Zip Goes a Million, and revivals of The Maid of the Mountains, The Quaker Girl, Lilac Time, The Student Prince and The Desert Song.[4] Littler presented more than two hundred Christmas pantomimes in London and the larger cities of the British Isles; he was author or co-author of many of them. He controlled the Palace Theatre, London from 1946 to 1983 and had two stints as President of the Society of West End Theatre Managers: 1964–67 and 1969–70. He also served on the Board of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. He was a racehorse owner, owning the horses Jack & Jill, Astafa, and Irish Ball. Littler retired from producing in 1973 and was knighted the following year. He died at his home in Sussex at the age of 81.
Personal Life & Family

Theatre and board games.
01/23

1985

Death

January 23, 1985

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Sussex U.K.
Death location

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Obituary

Sir Emile Littler, the British theatrical impressario and producer... LONDON -- Sir Emile Littler, the British theatrical impressario and producer has died at his English country home, his secretary said Thursday. He was 81. The cause and exact time of death were not revealed. Littler began his theatrical career as a stage sweeper at a theater in the southeastern seaside resort of Southend in 1922 and spent a decade working as a manager in provincial touring companies. After a brief stint in New York, Littler began working in theater management on his own in 1934 and, by the end of World War II, he controlled theaters throughout Britain. Among his London hits were 'Annie Get Your Gun,' 'Charlie's Aunt' and 'The Student Prince.' He was associated with English Christmas shows known as pantomimes and was involved in more than 200 such productions. 'He sold his last London theater, the Palace, a couple of years ago but he was still very much involved in the theatrical world -- still on the look out for a new play,' his secretary said. Littler is survived by his wife and two daughters.

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Emile Littler lived 6 years longer than the average family member when died at the age of 81.

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