Edwardes, George

Edwardes, George (1852–1915), Irish-born theatre manager, who introduced musical comedy to London. He first worked as a theatre manager in Ireland in 1875, and in 1881 became manager of the newly opened Savoy Theatre in London. In 1885 he went into partnership with John Hollingshead at the Gaiety Theatre, a year later becoming sole manager and producing a fine series of musical comedies with the famous chorus of ‘Gaiety Girls’, whom he chose and trained himself. In 1893 he built Daly's Theatre in London for Augustin Daly of which he later took control, making it as successful as the Gaiety. He also managed the Prince of Wales and the Apollo. Always known as ‘The Guv'nor’, Edwardes was tall, good-looking, and burly, with a very soft voice. He had an extraordinary flair for knowing what the public wanted, and spared no cost in providing it.