Charles Gulliver
Charles Gulliver (7 April 1882 – 8 June 1961)[1] was a British music-hall producer and impresario who was also the secretary and a founder of the Variety Artistes' Federation in 1906.
Born in Southampton, in his youth, Gulliver worked in a solicitors' office, and thereby gained a basic understanding of the law.[2] The office building in which he worked also housed the offices of The Automobile Association (AA), and after demonstrating an interest in cars, he served for a short time as secretary and treasurer of the AA. At the time, the position was unpaid, so Gulliver focused on searching for a paid, full-time successor.[3]
Gulliver served as the first secretary of the Variety Artistes' Federation, a trade union representing variety performers. In 1909, he became secretary of the industry association, the London Theatres of Varieties, followed by a similar post with Barrasford Halls. He became managing director of the London Palladium in 1912.[2]
In the 1920s, Gulliver became managing director of the Moss Empires group of theatres, originated in Scotland by Edward Moss.
Gulliver retired from the variety business in 1932.[2]
He died at his home in Bexhill on 8 June 1961, aged 79.[1]
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