Bland Holt

Bland Holt (born Joseph Thomas Holt, (24 March 1851 – 28 June 1942) was a comedian and theatrical producer, active in Australia. He was one of the foremost actor-managers of the early Australian stage for three decades and widely dubbed the "King of Melodrama" for the lavish and spectacular productions staged by his company. and his first wife Marian(known as Marie), née Brown, Holt was born at Norwich, England on 24 March 1851. He established his own company in Sydney in 1880.

Towards the end of his career, Holt introduced distinctively Australian subjects to his repertoire. Holt adapted Arthur Shirley's play The Breaking of the Drought, for Australian audiences. The stage was set with real horses, water and a realistic bushfire. The Breaking of the Drought was later made into a silent film in 1920, directed by Franklyn Barrett.

Retirement and later life Holt retired in 1909, after a farewell tour of Europe, North America and New Zealand with his wife and secretary, Lucy Coppin (daughter of George Coppin). His wife survived him, dying in 1946.

Personal life Holt's first wife, who appeared on stage as Lena Edwin, died in June 1883. On 29 September 1887, in Adelaide, he married actress Florence Griffiths Anderson (daughter of William Curling Anderson). Anderson appeared with him in many of his productions, the couple being much sought after.

Plays Holt's early repertoire of "twenty-four new and original dramas" adopted from Drury Lane included The Bells of Haselmere, A Million of Money, The White Heather, The Fatal Card, The Prodigal's Daughter and The Great Millionaire. Breaking the Drought (1902) The Great Rescue (1907)