George Augustus Conquest

[3][5] The theatre had previously produced light opera and was originally a music hall, but Conquest senior switched to Shakespeare which was unsuccessful.

The theatre was rebuilt in 1858, again in 1876, and sold in 1879 following which George Conquest went on a tour of the United States in 1880 in The Grim Goblin, which had played with great success at the Grecian in 1876.

The flight was successfully accomplished, but after he had grasped the rope and had descended a few feet it parted, and Mr. Conquest fell a long distance, striking the stage with a heavy thud.

During the excitement behind the scenes, and the infux of strangers to learn the result of the accident, many exaggerated reports naturally galned circulation, and among these was one which subsequently found its way into print, to the effect that the broken rope gave evidence of having been cut.

[12][13] Hundreds of people came to his funeral at West Norwood Cemetery, and flowers were sent by Henry Irving, J. L. Toole, Herbert Campbell and Dan Leno, among others.

[14] Of him, his old friend and collaborator Henry Spry wrote: I have known George Conquest over forty-six years, and never knew him to be guilty of a mean or ungenerous action.