Background
PLAYFAIR, Arthur Wyndham was born on October 20, 1869 in Elichpoor, India. Youngest son of MajorGeneral A. L. Playfair.
PLAYFAIR, Arthur Wyndham was born on October 20, 1869 in Elichpoor, India. Youngest son of MajorGeneral A. L. Playfair.
The Oratory, Edgbaston. Oxford Military College.
Beginning in Victorian burlesque and comic operas, Playfair became known for his roles in Edwardian musical comedy and, later, in musical revues. He first appeared on the London stage in December 1887. He went on to create roles in the Victorian burlesque Cinder Ellen up too Late (1891).
The comic opera The Mountebanks (1892) by Alfred Cellier and West. South. Gilbert.
As Sir Reddan Tapeleigh, with Jessie Bond, in the musical comedy Go-Bang (1894) by Adrian Ross and F. Osmond Carr. And the comic opera His Excellency (1895) by Gilbert and Carr.
He created the role of Butler in The Manitoba from Blankley"s (1903 at the Prince of Wales Theatre, reprising the role in the 1906 revival at the Haymarket Theatre) to much success. In 1911, he starred in the title role in Preserving Mr.
Panmure. He then starred as Baron Dauvray in The Girl in the Taxi (1912).
He toured the United States in 1901 and 1903, in the latter year appearing in The Manitoba from Blankley"s at the Criterion Theatre in New York with Charles Hawtrey, and also appearing there as Bernard Mandeville in Letty in 1904. During World War I he appeared in a series of hit revues. In 1914, he played in the successful The Passing Show at the Palace Theatre, London, followed the next year by Bric-a-Brac and in 1916 in Vanity Fair, both at the Palace.
He appeared in the silent film Judged by Appearances in 1916.
In 1917, he appeared in another successful revue, Bubbly, at the Comedy Theatre, London, followed, in 1918-1919, by another hit, Tails Up, at the same theatre. Playfair married the actress Lena Ashwell Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1896.
He began divorce proceedings in 1903 following her adultery with Robert Taber, the former husband of actress Julia Marlowe. Playfair and Ashwell finally divorced in 1908.
He was the cousin of the actor Nigel Playfair.
Playfair died aged 48 in 1918 in Brighton, England.