Arthur Garner

Arthur Garner was articled to Charles J. Phipps, the architect, whose connection was largely theatrical, he having erected no less than forty English theatres; from which circumstance may perhaps be traced the young pupil's gravitation to the stage, where he became a protégé of George Gordon, the scenic artist.

In 1879 Garner began his career as an Australian entrepreneur by taking out "The London Comedy Company" (1879), of which Fred Marshall was the bright particular comic star and Mr. George Gordon the hardly less indispensable scenic artist.

[3] In 1881 Garner joined J. C. Williamson, the eminent Australian–American actor, and George Musgrove in establishing the leading firm of Australasian managers, generally known as the "Trio" or "Triumvirate",[4] which has controlled a greater number of theatres and entered into engagements, dramatic and operatic, on a larger scale than has ever been attempted in the southern hemisphere.

Williamson was the senior partner, and managed the actors and companies, while Musgrove was responsible for production, and Garner the financial side.

[5] Their operations practically commenced at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on 1 July 1882, with the production of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta Patience.