The British Musical Biography

[E] Roberts, Arthur, vocalist and comedian
of the present time, who was born on Sep-
tember 21, 1852. He was a legal clerk in a
financial office, and first began singing as an
amateur. Made his mark in the Music Halls,
and then appeared in pantomime at Oxford
in 1878. Quitted the Music Halls and sang
in "The Grand Mogul" at the Comedy
Theatre, London, 1884. Toured in the pro-
vinces in comic opera, etc. Latterly has been
giving entertainments with a party of his
own. Among his best recent impersonations
may be named " Gentleman Joe," which had
a long and successful run at the Prince of
Wales' Theatre, London. A memoir is pub-
lished by Arrowsmith, Bristol, as " Adventures
of Arthur Roberts, by rail, road, and river,
told by himself, and chronicled by Richard
Morton." [1895]. He has composed a few
songs, "If I were to do such a thing;"
"Keeping up the old girl's birthday," etc.

entry id: 347-L-40