OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 61, 14 March 1939, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR. ROBERT CUNNINGHAM

(Received March 14, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 13. The death has occurred of Mr. Robert Cunningham, singer and actor. The late Robert Cunningham, who had a high reputation as an actor and opera singer, was 73 years of age. He was born at Hobart, Tasmania. Before corhmehcing his stage career he was engaged in the wool trade and finance. In 1889 he went to England, where he studied singing under William Shakespeare and Herman Klein. He made his firsfe appearance in 1891 in the provinces as Thaddeus in "The Bohemian Girl," with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. His association with this company Continued for twelve years and he played the leading tenor roles in "Faust," "Carmen," "II Trovatore," "Pagliacci," "The Flying Dutchman," "Tannhauser," and other operas. He made his first appearance on the London stage at the Savoy Theatre in 1893 as John Manners in "Haddon Hall." After retiring from grand opera he played many well-known stage parts, including Sir Harry Bumper in Tree's revival of "The School for Scandal." His work in London was interrupted by, a period on the New York stage. He returned to London and portrayed many stage characters, including, in 1924, the Archbishop of Rheims in Shaw's "Saint Joan." During 1926 he toured with Dame Sybil Thorndike as the Lord Chamberlain in "Henry .VIII;" His favourite parts were Tannhauser and the Archbishop in "Saint Joan."