AN OLD-TIME MANAGER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1404, 22 March 1917, Page 53

AN OLD-TIME MANAGER.

THE LATE FRED. DUVAL. The old generation of playgoers will learn with regret of the death of Mr. Fred. Duval, which occurred at the Auckland Hospital on Sunday, after a short but painful illness. Mr. Duval, who was 68 years of age, was known far and wide throughout Australasia as a theatrical manager, and his name will recall many incidents of the early days in connection with the stage. Arriving in New Zealand in 1866, he piloted the way for John Bennett at the Thames the following year, later acting as advance for such prominent artists as Johnny Hall, F. M. Bates, Hoskins, George Darrell, Steele E. Keagh and others. In 1873 he went to India on behalf of the great operatic soprano, Alice May, and ten years later he toured the East with the original Pollards. Then in turn 'he acted in a managerial capacity for Johnny Sheridan (18845), Cogill Bros. (1886-7-8), Montague Turner’s Opera Company (1899-90), and Tom Pollard (1891-99). Mr. Duval was general manager for the Dix vaudeville firm for two years and ahalf, and had a three years’ period as manager for Mr. George Stephenson (the present manager of the Auckland Opera House), on whose account he made a visit to America to bring over a well known comedy company, which made a successful tour of Australasia. He was also advance agent for Mr. Stephenson’s “Honeymoon” Company, which starred Mr. Edward Laurie and M'iss May Beatty. Recent years saw Mr. Duval on the West Coast, where he has been manager for Mr. Tom Pollard’s picture enterprises, until failing health sent him up to Auckland a few weeks back, where it was hoped he would regain some of his former vigour amongst his old friends. Besides knowing the theatrical business from A to Z Mr. Duval was also an encyclopedia in racing matters, and could recall in a moment the winner of every race of importance since the early 60’s, with the weights of all the horses.

At the funeral, which took place on Tuesday, representatives of the theatrical and sporting world paid their last tribute to an old comrade.