Actor, librettist, writer, director, choreographer
Although his time in Australia was brief, barely three years, Frank Ayrton played a significant role in helping develop the craft of many local writers, actors and dancers. He and his wife, actress/dancer Madge Seymour, came to Australia in November 1889 under the contract to George Rignold. Their Australian debut was at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney on 9 November, in a revival of The Flying Scud. Cast as Nat Gosling, advertisements published prior to his debut record that he had previously appeared at London's Strand and Crystal theatres.
The following year Ayrton, in collaboration with Frank Eugarde (music) adapted the libretto for Rignold's Dick Whittington pantomime (Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney). Ayrton also shared choreography duties with his wife.
Ayrton (along with Seymour and Eugarde) was involved in the creation of one more pantomime before returning to Britain, The Babes in the Wood (1891). His association with Eugarde also lead to the writing of several popular songs, notably the patriotic number 'The Old Flag and the New' (1892).
Reports on Ayrton and Seymour's theatrical activities continued to published in Australia newspapers well into the early 1900s. Recorded as specialising in pantomime and melodrama, the couple also toured their own company ca. 1907. One of the productions most associated with Ayrton around the turn of the century was The Power of Gold.
