R. H. Burnside

Robert Hubberthorne Burnside (August 13, 1873 – September 14, 1952) was an American actor, director, producer, composer, and playwright. He was artistic director of the 5,200-seat New York Hippodrome from 1908 to 1923. He wrote and staged hundreds of dramas, musicals and theatrical spectacles.

Burnside was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father was George Burnside, a manager of the Gaiety Theatre in Glasgow. His mother was Margaret Thorne, an actress, whose father was William Hubberthorne, a theatre proprietor. His siblings were Janet Agnes (born about 1853), John, Ann R., Isabella, and George. Burnside attended the Great Yarmouth Academy.

As a child Burnside traveled on theatrical tours with his mother. His first stage appearance was as a dog in The Bohemian Girl in a royal command performance, starring Edward O'Connor Terry, before the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.

According to his passport application, he arrived in New York in October 1894, invited by Lillian Russell to direct her productions. Beginning in 1900, he directed musical theatre at the New York Hippodrome and at other Broadway theatres. He was artistic director of the 5,200-seat New York Hippodrome from 1908 to 1923. He composed the scores, wrote the librettos for, and directed the Broadway productions The Tourists, Fascinating Flora (which he also produced), Jack o' Lantern, Happy Days, Good Times, Tip Top and Better Times. The New York Times praised his book for the musical Miss Billions in 1919. He was the librettist and director for A Trip to Japan (1909, which he also produced), The International Cup, Chin Chin, Hip Hip Hooray!, The Big Show, Cheer Up, Everything, Stepping Stones, and Three Cheers. He also directed the Broadway productions of others' works, such as The Emerald Isle (1902), The Earl and the Girl (1905) and many others. He joined ASCAP in 1914 as a charter member and collaborated with such composers as Raymond Hubbell and Gustave Kerker. His most famous songs were "You Can't Beat the Luck of the Irish", "Ladder of Roses", "Nice to Have a Sweetheart" and "Annabelle Jerome". In 1935, 1942 and 1944, he staged many revivals of Gilbert and Sullivan operas on Broadway.

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