author
Harold Acton Vivian
d. 1929
A newspaperman and humorist with a clear love of the stage, this early-20th-century writer is best remembered for The Theatrical Primer, a playful, satirical look at theater life. His work has the feel of a witty backstage introduction, mixing show-business charm with gentle mockery.
1 Audiobook
The Theatrical Primer
by Harold Acton Vivian
About the author
Born on December 16, 1877, near Kandy in Ceylon, Harold Acton Vivian later lived in the United States and worked in journalism. Available biographical records describe him as a newspaperman, and they also note that he was educated by private tutors and at Los Angeles High School.
Vivian is known today chiefly for The Theatrical Primer, first published in 1904. The book presents the world of theater in a comic, lightly satirical way, introducing actors, audiences, and stage customs with humor that still feels lively.
He died on October 15, 1929. Detailed information about his wider life and career appears to be limited in the sources readily available online, but his surviving work preserves a cheerful, theatrical voice that makes him an interesting rediscovery for modern readers.