Comic singer who took part in the first Royal Variety Performance.
Wilkie Bard (born William August Smith) (19 March 1874 – 5 May 1944) was a popular British vaudeville and music hall entertainer and recording artist at the beginning of the 20th century. He is best known for his songs "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman".
Contributor: kinsale (47509609)∼Entertainer. Per his birth certificate, he was the son of William Herbert Smith and Marie Stetzer and he was christened William August Smith. He acquired the stage name of Wilkie Bard under which he became famous. He was a comedian turned vaudeville singer and British Music Hall star. As a sketch artiste he was particularly good at character impersonations. His repertoire included over 100 songs and he introduced several popular songs including "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman". He also did pantomime and tongue twisters. "She sells sea shells by the sea shore" was introduced by him. In 1912 he was among the chosen to appear in the first Royal Command Performance at London's Palace Theatre. He was one of the top earners of his day and at the height of his career he made several top line tours of America. He appeared on film in 2 "shorts" released in 1928 by British Sound Film Productions ("The Nightwatchman" and "The Cleaner"). At age 70 he suffered a coronary thrombosis and died at "Glengarry" on Trees Road with his niece D. L. Davey present. Part of his inscription reads: "In memory of my dear husband William A. Smith (Wilkie Bard) who fell asleep May 5th 1944 aged 70. Sleep peacefully dearest". Buried near him are his wife, singer Ellen "Nellie" (nee Stratton) and his mother-in-law Mrs. Esther Stratton.
Wilkie Bard (born William August Smith) (19 March 1874 – 5 May 1944) was a popular British vaudeville and music hall entertainer and recording artist at the beginning of the 20th century. He is best known for his songs "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman".
Contributor: kinsale (47509609)∼Entertainer. Per his birth certificate, he was the son of William Herbert Smith and Marie Stetzer and he was christened William August Smith. He acquired the stage name of Wilkie Bard under which he became famous. He was a comedian turned vaudeville singer and British Music Hall star. As a sketch artiste he was particularly good at character impersonations. His repertoire included over 100 songs and he introduced several popular songs including "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman". He also did pantomime and tongue twisters. "She sells sea shells by the sea shore" was introduced by him. In 1912 he was among the chosen to appear in the first Royal Command Performance at London's Palace Theatre. He was one of the top earners of his day and at the height of his career he made several top line tours of America. He appeared on film in 2 "shorts" released in 1928 by British Sound Film Productions ("The Nightwatchman" and "The Cleaner"). At age 70 he suffered a coronary thrombosis and died at "Glengarry" on Trees Road with his niece D. L. Davey present. Part of his inscription reads: "In memory of my dear husband William A. Smith (Wilkie Bard) who fell asleep May 5th 1944 aged 70. Sleep peacefully dearest". Buried near him are his wife, singer Ellen "Nellie" (nee Stratton) and his mother-in-law Mrs. Esther Stratton.
Comic singer who took part in the first Royal Variety Performance.
Wilkie Bard (born William August Smith) (19 March 1874 – 5 May 1944) was a popular British vaudeville and music hall entertainer and recording artist at the beginning of the 20th century. He is best known for his songs "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman".
Contributor: kinsale (47509609)∼Entertainer. Per his birth certificate, he was the son of William Herbert Smith and Marie Stetzer and he was christened William August Smith. He acquired the stage name of Wilkie Bard under which he became famous. He was a comedian turned vaudeville singer and British Music Hall star. As a sketch artiste he was particularly good at character impersonations. His repertoire included over 100 songs and he introduced several popular songs including "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman". He also did pantomime and tongue twisters. "She sells sea shells by the sea shore" was introduced by him. In 1912 he was among the chosen to appear in the first Royal Command Performance at London's Palace Theatre. He was one of the top earners of his day and at the height of his career he made several top line tours of America. He appeared on film in 2 "shorts" released in 1928 by British Sound Film Productions ("The Nightwatchman" and "The Cleaner"). At age 70 he suffered a coronary thrombosis and died at "Glengarry" on Trees Road with his niece D. L. Davey present. Part of his inscription reads: "In memory of my dear husband William A. Smith (Wilkie Bard) who fell asleep May 5th 1944 aged 70. Sleep peacefully dearest". Buried near him are his wife, singer Ellen "Nellie" (nee Stratton) and his mother-in-law Mrs. Esther Stratton.
Wilkie Bard (born William August Smith) (19 March 1874 – 5 May 1944) was a popular British vaudeville and music hall entertainer and recording artist at the beginning of the 20th century. He is best known for his songs "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman".
Contributor: kinsale (47509609)∼Entertainer. Per his birth certificate, he was the son of William Herbert Smith and Marie Stetzer and he was christened William August Smith. He acquired the stage name of Wilkie Bard under which he became famous. He was a comedian turned vaudeville singer and British Music Hall star. As a sketch artiste he was particularly good at character impersonations. His repertoire included over 100 songs and he introduced several popular songs including "I Want to Sing in Opera" and "The Night Watchman". He also did pantomime and tongue twisters. "She sells sea shells by the sea shore" was introduced by him. In 1912 he was among the chosen to appear in the first Royal Command Performance at London's Palace Theatre. He was one of the top earners of his day and at the height of his career he made several top line tours of America. He appeared on film in 2 "shorts" released in 1928 by British Sound Film Productions ("The Nightwatchman" and "The Cleaner"). At age 70 he suffered a coronary thrombosis and died at "Glengarry" on Trees Road with his niece D. L. Davey present. Part of his inscription reads: "In memory of my dear husband William A. Smith (Wilkie Bard) who fell asleep May 5th 1944 aged 70. Sleep peacefully dearest". Buried near him are his wife, singer Ellen "Nellie" (nee Stratton) and his mother-in-law Mrs. Esther Stratton.
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