Arthur Shirley

Arthur George Shirley was born in St Pancras, Middlesex on February 17 1853. Educated at Collegiate School he showed great interest in drama. Placed under the wing of actor Edmond Got he travelled to Paris aged 16 to study French. This was mostly achived by listening at the wings of various theatres. He became an interpreter for the Comedie Francaise, and then initially an unsuccessful actor, but later gained some success. Shirley ultimately turned his attention to writing, with his first play 'Reparations' being produced in 1882. He went on to very successfuly write and co-write over a hundred plays. He married actress Florence Mary Allen and had five children, Nellie, George, Marjorie, Esme and Claire. Arthur George Shirley died on August 21, 1925 at Kings College London, aged 72 years, and was buried at Highgate Cemetery, London on August 25, 1925.

Performances associated with Arthur Shirley