Background
Littler was born in Ramsgate, Kent, in the south east of England, the elder son in the family of five children of Jules Richeux (1863–1911), a cigar importer, and his wife, Agnes May, née Paisey (b 1874).
executive impresario theatre proprietor
Littler was born in Ramsgate, Kent, in the south east of England, the elder son in the family of five children of Jules Richeux (1863–1911), a cigar importer, and his wife, Agnes May, née Paisey (b 1874).
Richeux became a theatrical proprietor, leasing the Ramsgate Victoria Pavilion from 1906, while Agnes Richeux leased the Artillery Theatre, Woolwich, from 1909. The younger son Emile, and one of the daughters, Blanche, also went into theatrical management. With Blanche, Littler started a theatrical career in 1927, assembling small companies for provincial tours.
There were no children of the marriage.
Over the following years he bought theatres in Manchester and Norwich. His first London productions were pantomimes at the Coliseum, the Prince"s, and Drury Lane.
Littler"s West End shows included Glamorous Night (1936), Brigadoon (1950). Carousel, (1951); Guys and Dolls (1953, Can-Can (1954), The Black and White Minstrel Show and Fiddler on the Roof (both 1966).
Littler was chairman and managing director of three major theatre groups, chairman of a fourth (Moss Empire), and from the beginning of commercial television in the United Kingdom he was a major shareholder in Associated Television.
He served on the boards of the South Bank Theatre and the Royal Opera House. in 1957 Littler was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He retired from production in 1966, and died at his home in Sussex at the age of 72.
He was a member of the council of the Theatrical Managers" Association, and vice-president of the boards of the Society of West End Theatre Managers, Denville Home for Aged Actors and Actresses and the Variety Artistes Benevolent Fund.