American actor, comedian, singer, writer, director, troupe leader, lawyer, businessman.
Born and educated in Virginia (USA), F. Gayle Wyer initially studied to become a Methodist clergyman but after four years decided to switch law. By this time he had also developed an interest in the stage, and used his vacation tims to find employment as an actor in musical comedies. His career as a practicing lawyer was put on hold following the outbreak of war in Europe. With America remaining on the sidelines Wyer joined Canadian forces, remaining with until his own country joined the war in 1917. On his discharge Wyer returned to the stage professionally, going on to find employment as an actor/comedian, writer and director.
After a few years working in the theatre Wyer abandoned the stage for a business career. In 1923 this led to him coming to Australia as a representative of a US oil company. The following year met
Sir Benjamin Fuller and was offered the chance to tour his own company on the
Fullers Australian and New Zealand circuits. He subsequently formed the Band Box Revue Company. The troupe went on to tour the region constantly up until 1929, presenting a combination of vaudeville and revusicals - all of which were written and directed by its leader.
Among the popular of his revusicals, numbering more than 20 were:
The Honeymoon Trail, Love, Honour and Obey, When the Cat's Away, Oh You
Wonderful Girl, The Lady Buccaneers, The Beach at Waikiki, Island of Dreams, Love and Politics, After the Storm, The Blue Rose, A Japanese
Honeymoon and Married Life.
Although most of these were written prior to Wyer's arrival in Australia, and had their settings in the USA, evidence suggests than the musical aspects of the shows and some of the narrative material (including 'humourosities') were re-worked for the Australian tours. Five works which were likely written during his time in Australia were:
The Black Eagle, All About Hannah,
Mixed Doubles (1927),
The Country Boy and
The Commercial Traveller (1928). He also wrote and directed a 40 minute Christmas juvenile entertainment,
Babes in Joyland, in 1927.
Wyer is believed to have returned to the USA in 1930.
[Source:
Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
