JACK CANNOT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 11

JACK CANNOT

SUICIDE OF POPULAR COMEDIAN (Rec. August 2, 8.30 p.m.) Sydney, August 2. Theatrical folk and listeners-in throughout Australia received a shock to-day when they learned of the tragic death of Jack Cannot, the . popular comedian, whose body was discovered by the police in scrub on Maroubra beach foreshore. A packet containing a remnant of strychnine was found :n his pocket. His widow received a letter from him telling her where his body would be found. Cannot was the comedian in several pantomimes, and more recently was a broadcasting artist.

Jack Cannot, who had not visited New Zealand for some years, was a very popular member of several Williamson companies, extending over a number of years. He came originally from England aud was associated with pantomime productions for some years, in which connection lie was always very amusing, and had a plausible way of persuading his audiences to join in the chorus. He was also tlie principal comedian in “The Sunshine Girl ’ and “The Quaker Girl” some sixteen years ago* and in 1918 was Su New Zealand with “The Bing Boys are Here.” and in 1923 was Ali Baba in “The Forty Thieves.” He was a broad comedian of strong personality, and, when ho chose to exert it, had a very fine tenor voice. He had for nearly twenty years shared the popular favour with such comedians as Phil Smith, Barry Lupino, Arthur Stigant, Alfred Frith, Field Fisher. W. S. Percy, and Charles Workman. On one occasion lie left the profession to run a cabaret at Coogee (Sydney), but the venture was unsuccessful.