E. J. Cole

Edward Irham Cole (1857–1 July 1942) was an Australian film director and theatrical entrepreneur who specialised in Wild West Shows.

Cole arrived in Australia as a young man and worked for a time in Adelaide before moving to Wilcannia. He started in showbusiness as a lecturer, calling himself "the Bohemian" and giving presentations on various topics.

He later joined the company of Texas Jack, an American showman in the Buffalo Bill mould. He established the Bohemian Dramatic Company, which toured the country performing shows. At its height, the company included over 60 performers and 20 horses, and was transported in its own train.

In 1910 and 1911 Cole made a series of films adapted from his shows. They were sometimes screened accompanied by lectures and songs. Cole toured Tasmania in 1911 and 1912.

By 1926 the company was down to a size of 24 and touring mostly only country areas.

Cole's company was still touring in the 1930s as 'Cole's Varieties', run by his son-in-law, Bill Ayr.

Cole and his wife ran a small factory at Marrickville in Sydney which manufactured cowboy outfits for small children.

Cole married his leading lady, Vene Linden (aka Lavinia Catherine_. They had a daughter, Mabel, who married Cole's leading man, Bill Ayr.

In later years, a third generation, Millie and Ned Ayr, would be actors for the company while Tom Ayr handled most of the managerial duties of Cole's Varieties.

Cole's wife engaged in a court case against her sister for ownership of their father's cottage.

Cole died on 1 July 1942. His wife died on 8 November 1948, survived by their children Frank, Belle, Mabel, Rose and Myrtle; a son, Roy, had predeceased her.

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