DEATH OF A COMEDIAN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 64, 13 September 1909, Page 7

DEATH OF A COMEDIAN.

MR. HARRY SHINE. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 12th September. The death is announced of Mr. Harry Shine, the comedian, who is well known throughout Australia and New Zealand. Few actors could boast of more experience in the theatrical line than Mr. Harry Shine. He began his professional career at the age of seven, when he was apprenticed to the Welby Cook's Circus, in which was included the famous Barry troupe. Then came a jjeriod of educational training in Manchester. When he was fourteen years of age he threw in his lot with an organisation which provided him with a variety of parts, which, according to himself, " were mostly old men, because he was too young to look middle-aged." Then followed two tours' with Ins brother, John Shine, In burlesque, while dramatic companies also had the benefit of his youthful enthusiasm, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Buffalo Bill" being included in the repertoire. Alter a term of drama and vaudeville, interspersed with pantomime at Christmas time, Mr. Shine accepted an engagement to play the Dame part in " Tho Babes in tho Wood" before he had reached the age of twenty. Eventually his services were secured by JV,C. Williamson, and he came out to Australia to play in " The Gondoliers," but when he arrived the opera had been produced, and for some time he had to "walk round." Ho then appeared in "The English Rose," and among other engagements he appeared at different times with George Darrell, Grattan Riggs, Jennie Lee, Myra Kemble, and under the Williamson and Musgrove management in their Christmas production of " The Forty Thieves." Indeed, it may be said of Mr. Shine that he has practically held engagements under every management in Australia, including George Rignold and George Coppin, and in addition lias himself assumed the reins of management, when, with his co-partners Gourlay and Walton, lie toured the comedy attraction, "Skipped by the Light of the Moon." For many months Mr. Shine played in New Zealand under P. R. Dixs manage ment. His last appearances in Wellington were m 1907, when he played Jack ia Williamson's "Mother Goose" pantomime, and lastyear, when he was Bison Bob in the " Hranpty Dumpty " pantomime. On the return of the latter company to Australia, Mr. Shine, who had been in indifferent health for some time, had to relinquish' 'iis engagements and become an inmate of .a ho&pital. His bi others, John L. Shine and Wilfrid E. Shine, are also well-known comedians. Wilfred Shine came to Australia with the " Morocco Bound " Company, and afterwards toured New Zealand with the late Robert Brough's company.