Parry, Sefton Henry (Mr)

1822

1887

In PGC S55 was called the bust of an unknown man, but it has since been identified as that of Henry Sefton Parry, the theatrical manager and builder of theatres. He was born in 1822 into a theatrical family and grew to learn many skills: painting scenery, cutting costumes and stage-carpentry, among them. In 1859 he went to Cape Town with his wife and established professional entertainments there. Then he travelled with a small company to many parts of the world. On returning to England he built a number of theatres, which he planned and managed. In October 1866 he opened the Holborn Theatre, of which he remained lessee until 1872. He opened the Globe Theatre, on the grounds of the old Lyon’s Inn on Newcastle Street, the Strand, in November 1868 and managed it until 1981. The Avenue Theatre, at the corner of Craven Street, facing the Thames, was built by him and was inaugurated in March 1882, under Burke’s management. Parry also was involved in building theatres in Greenwich, Hull and Southampton. Parry suffered a paralytic stroke, from which he died at Cricklewood Lodge, Middlesex, on 18 December 1887, and was buried in Old Willesden churchyard. (DNB)