DEATH IN NEW YORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 18

DEATH IN NEW YORK

FAMOUS LONDON PRODUCER

Mr. Edward Laurillard, well-known as,a London theatre manager and producer, died recently at New York at the age of 66. '

Except for a few isolated productions (writes the theatre correspondent' of the "Daily Telegraph") Edward Laurillard has done little in the London theatre since he severed his connection with the firm .of Laurillard and Grossmith fifteen years ago.

One of his last ventures was a revival in 1932 of the famous "Potash and Pqrlmutter" farce, which he was responsible for bringing to London in 1914. The revival was not a success, but the original production is said to have made over £70,000.

"Potash and Perlmutter" was the first of many plays presented by Laurillard and "Grossmith. Its great success laid the foundations of the firm, which for ten years was one of the most important managements • in

this ..country. -It controlled six West End theatres and ran a series of popular plays, most of them musical comedies. Amcjng them were "Tonight's the Night," ".Yes, Uncle," "Kissing Time," and "Tilly of Bloomsbury."

Mr. Laurillard brought Francis Lcderer to this country for the first time. He remained under contract to Mr. Laurillard until a year or two ago, when'he became a star in Hollywood.

'Born in Rotterdam, Edward Laurillard came to London as a young man. His first.venture was "King Kodak" at Terry's Theatre in 1894. - A little later he introduced Louie Freear to London .audiences in "The Gay Parisienne." His last production in London was at the Vaudeville in May, 1934, when he brought over the American company in "The Pursuit of Happiness."