MILTON BODE


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TIMELINE


1860

Born 7 Jan 1860, 45 Lower Hurst Street, Birmingham

1871

Census lists him still at 45 Lower Hurst Street - scholar
According to Milton he runs away from school to join a travelling circus, eventually becoming the manager, but as yet there is no evidence to back this up.
He also says that he attended Birmingham Grammar School, but the King Edwards Foundation (the most likely contender for this school) has no record of him in its registers (although they were able to find a cousin of his attending one of their primary schools).

1886

Milton names Fred Neebe and then Frederick Balsir Chatterton as his first employers.
July. Staged his first production at the Public Hall, Taunton.
End of the year he was playing Cousin Jacky in S.Herbert-Basing's company.

1887

Managed a burlesque company in Devon, presenting "The Count of Monte Cristo".
June. Taunton (The London Hotel Assembly Rooms) and Frome
Dec. Ilfracombe (Oxford Hall)

1888

15 Nov Married Mabel Kates Haynes
19-21 Nov Plays part of Dr Cenari in play called "Called Back" at Theatre Royal, Eastbourne
Last appeared in pantomime, "acted clown and Will Atkins at the Royal Bath"
Dec - April 1890. Played part of Henry Williams in "London day by day" at Royal Adelphi Theatre, London (manager=FB Chatterton)

1890

Jan. Played part of Reuben Gale in "Polly's venture" at Royal Adelphi Theatre, London (manager=FB Chatterton)
End of year. Running a small "fit-up" pantomime with Cecil Pierpoint. Also appearing in "The English Rose" at the Adelphi.
George Alexander engaged him to manage his first tour (Dr Bill) at a salary of £8 per week. Money saved from this was the foundation of his financial success.

1891

Census lists Milton as a visitor staying in Falcourt Street, Newcastle on Tyne.

1892

Presenting "In Perfection" & "Naval Engagements" with GT Hale. Lillie Young is in the same cast. Still acting.

1894

Found by Arthur Styan to be living with Lillie (Young) Styan (Arthur's wife) in Clapham.
Produced pantomime at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre In August Milton was elected onto the council of the Actors' Association

1895

Nov. Takes over lease of Her Majesty's Theatre, Carlisle with Stewart McKim
Directed "Gentleman Joe" at the Prince's Theatre, Bristol

1896

Apr-Jun. Produced "The French Maid" at the Theatre Royal Bath and then took it on tour.
Jul-Dec. Continued tour of "The French Maid"

1897

Lessee & manager of County Theatre, Reading
Apr-Jun. Produced "The American Belle" at the Opera House, Cheltenham and then took it on tour.
24 Jul. Milton named in Manchester as co-respondent in divorce between Mr Arthur Styan and Mrs Lilian Sidney Styan (nee Young).

1898

25 Jul. Dalston Theatre opens under management of Milton Bode and Edward Compton
Aug. Produced "Orlando Dando" at the Grand Theatre Fulham and toured - starring Dan Leno
Aug. Brought play "Tommy Atkins" to Theatre Royal, Eastbourne Oct-Dec. Continued touring with "Orlando Dando"
The phone book lists Milton as living in Craven Road, Caversham

1899

Aug-Nov. Produced "Miss Chiquita" at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham and then toured.
Oct-Dec. Produced "Gay Picacadilly" at the Theatre Royal Glasgow and then toured.

1900

Jan. Went into partnership with Mr EH Bull to run Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.
Apr. Leased Theatre Royal Huddersfield with Edward Compton
Applied (unsuccessfully) for lease of Theatre Royal, York.

1901

Census lists Milton living with "wife" Lily Bode (born Glasgow). He lies about his age, giving it as 3 years young than it is.
Listed as proprietor of Theatre Royal, Eastbourne in Gowlands Trade Directory.
Listed as proprietor of Royal Clarence Theatre, Pontypridd in Kelly's Trade Directory.
22 Jul. Dan Leno starts 3rd tour under Milton's management.
5 Aug. Grand Theatre, Llandudno opened "under the directorship of Mr Milton Bode, one of the best-known managers in the theatrical world".

1902

Aug-Nov. Produced "An English Daisy" at the Royal County Theatre, Kingston and then toured.

1903

Ends partnership with Stewart McKim at Her Majesty's Theatre, Carlisle. McKim continues to run the theatre.
Takes over Northampton Opera House with Edward Compton.
14 Sep. Still lessee & manager (with Mr GH Bull) of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Playbill of production of "Sherlock Holmes" includes a young Charles Chaplin.
Sep-Nov. Continues touring with "An English Daisy"
With Edward Compton runs theatre in Leamington Spa. The phone book now lists Milton as living at "Westdene", Caversham

1905

Secures control of Royalty Theatre Chester from James "Jas" Carter.

1906

Feb. Takes over running of 2 theatres in Leicester with Edward Compton.

1907

14 Mar. Firm of Denton Milton Bode & Mackenzie formed to manage Australian rights of selected musical comedies.

1909

Takes on lease of Theatre Royal, Brighton, with Edward Compton.
Director of The Irving Theatre Ltd.

1910

Bode to go to Australia?
Jun - end of year. Took over lease of Garrick Theatre with Edward Compton and Wentworth Croke.

1911

25 Mar. Tenancy of Theatre Royal, Brighton, collapses.
Firm of Denton Milton Bode & Mackenzie goes into voluntary liquidation.
Edward Compton becomes co-owner of County Theatre, Reading.
Apr. "Prince of Wales Theatre (Birmingham) Ltd registered as a company with John Hart as chairman, Robert Arthur, Milton Bode.."

1912

Sep. Took over management of Princess Theatre, Kennington, with Edward Compton.

1913

The Irving Theatre Ltd goes into voluntary liquidation.

1915

12 Nov. Became Vice President of Theatrical Managers Association

1918

Feb. Edward Compton takes sole control of Kennington Theatre.
Sells Theatre Royal, Huddersfield, to Alfred Wareing.

1921

Compton's widow sells her share of 5 theatres to Milton.
17 Mar. Resigns as Vice President of Theatrical Managers Association.

1922

Milton is now listed in the phone book as living at "Cliff House", Caversham

1925

Sells Northampton Opera House
6 May. Purchased Theatre Royal, Bristol, with Robert Courtneidge and Douglas Miller

1926

Jan. Court case against his solicitors.

1929

Jul. Millar sold out his share of Theatre Royal Bristol to Courtneidge and Milton

1931

Disposed of most of his interests
Sold Reading Theatre to Mr RJ Langley
Dec. William King "who had been running the Leicester theatre for Milton Bode" replace Millar as manager of Theatre Royal Bristol

1932

Sold Royalty Theatre Chester to Mr Edmund Keyes
Sold Opera House, Leicester to Mr Prince Littler

1937

Dec. Underwent slight operation in Reading nursing home (on his eyes)

1938

10 Jan. Died of heart failure ("morbus cordis")