5th Apr 1874 |
Died in St Giles, Bloomsbury (Southampton Street, 23).4,5 From the Era :-
"ROMER. - On the 5th inst., at 23, Southampton-street, Bloomsbury, Mr. Robert Romer (late of the Adelphi Theatre), aged 66." |
12th Apr 1874 |
Obituary.6 From the Era :-
“DEATH OF MR. ROBERT ROMER
With the decease of this well-known and much respected comedian, anther link is snapped in a chain of cherished theatrical memories, and a fresh vacancy created in the fast narrowing circle of old Adelphi favourites. Although never occupying a very prominent position on the boards, few performers will be more mourned and missed than “Bon Romer”, as he had long been familiarly designated, even by the those who had not the privilege of personally knowing one of the most unassuming actors of his day. The peculiarities of voice and manner, which have been so closely reflected in the imitations of Mr. J. L. Toole, were always secure of ready recognition from the public, and his “individualism” was perhaps more strongly marked than that of any of his professional associates. He could never so disguise his identity as to cause a doubt for an instant to disturb the mind of the play-goer as to the possibility of the representative of a character being anyone else. He was at once detected through all his assumptions, and the same original style of humour which distinguished him on the stage pervaded his conversation in private society, where his presence was always welcome with unaffected delight. Mr, Robert Romer expired, somewhat suddenly, on Sunday last, the 5th inst., at his residence 23, Southampton-street, Bloomsbury, at the age of sixty-six. He was one of a clever family, whose names have in various departments of art gained honour and regard. One of his sisters was Miss Emma Romer (afterwards Ms. Almond), who attained much distinction in English opera. Another sister is the widow of the late Mark Lemon, and his brother, Mr. Frank Romer, is the well-known composer. Mr. Robert Romer was born November 23d, 187, and passed the early years of his life in the house in Long-acre where his father carried on for some time the business of gold refiner. Theatrical associates, however, induced him to turn his attention to the stage, and so great was the opinion of his comic prowess that it was thought he would outshine the then famous John Reeve. Arrangements were at last entered into with Mr. Arnold, and on the night of Thursday, October 9th, 1834, Mr. Robert Romer, “from the Theatre Royal, York”, made his debut at the Lyceum, as the Mayor of Ardres, in Mr. T. J. Serle’s historical drama of The Widow Queen. It was a small part, but it showed the quaint humour of the actor, and his friends were sanguine about his future career. The new actor was, however, quietly achieving a popularity in his own fashion. His service was always felt to be most valuable in “little bit”, and may the lively farces produced at the Lyceum during this and succeeding seasons were greatly helped by his oddity of manner, though the characters enacted were of a subordinate kind. Afterwards Mr. R. Romer became a member f the Olympic and Strand companies, and finally attached himself t the Adelphi, where he remained for several seasons, his last performance being that of the dyer in the drama of The Wandering Jew, which enjoyed such a long run through the summer and autumn of last year. It may safely b asserted that there is no member of the Profession who will not say a kindly word, as well as tell a funny anecdote, of the always amiable and diverting eccentric “Bob Romer”, The funeral took place at Brompton Cemetery on Tuesday.”
|
