DEATH IN POVERTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23333, 29 April 1939, Page 14 (Supplement)

DEATH IN POVERTY

JONNY DANVERS, the comedian, brought Bi'iicc Bairnsfather's war character "Old Bill" to lile, died in London early this month. At one time he was one of the highest paid stage stars. He died in poverty. He was 70 years of age and had been bedridden for years following a complete breakdown in health. He had not appeared on the stage since J 925. Klevon years ago Jonny Dative rs, who once earned £IOO a week, was found living in two rooms in a De.ptfM'd -sliitti attd drawing' parish relief. For soino time ho had suffered troni chrome nephritis and wits unable to accept contracts which were offered to him. . ..Benefit .concerts were held to false ••mcmey for him. and George Graves, another noted London comedian, prgainised a fund which placed him in a little flat in. Helix-Gardens, BrixtonHill, wheire lie spent the rest of his days tended by his wife.

Bairnsfcither s

A Yorkshireman and an imcle of the famous Dah Leho, Dniivcrs began his stage Cereer at Sheffield when he was six. He made his bow in London as Silly Billy in "Robinson Crusoe" at the old Silrrey Theatre (now pulled down) when he was 15. For 20 years lie raised laughs with the Mohawk Minstrels. .Tonny Danvers often appeared with his nephew Pali Leno in Drury Lane pantomimes and with Seymour Hicks in comic opera and musical comedy* He last played his old soldier part in "Old Bill on Tour" and "Cafry on Sergeant" at the New Oxford (a restaurant now) 14 years ago. George Graves told the Sunday Dispatch in art interview- "Johnny was great friend of mine and a splendid artist. . • "Although racked with pain from his illhess lie aUvays kept cheerful in good old stage tradition. "He was with me in 'Jitck &hd the Beanstalk' in my first year at Drtlry Lane and was a fine reliable comedian of the old school."