James, David

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JAMES, DAVID

JAMES, DAVID (Belasco ; 1839–1893), British actor, born in Birmingham. James excelled in burlesque roles, such as Mercury in F.C. Burnand's extravaganza, Ixion, in 1863, Royalty, London. He went into management at the Vaudeville in 1870 and became famous as Perkyn Middlewick in H.J. Byron's comedy Our Boys which, opening in 1875, had a record run of 1,362 performances. It was revived for him in 1884, 1890, and 1892. He left much of his large fortune to Jewish charities.

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