Charles Edwin Scutt 1868-1953

[Hastings and St Leonards Observer, Saturday 15 June 1907. The Bush to the Theatre. Interesting Career of MR. C.E. Scutt of the Hastings Gaiety Theatre. Among the items on the excellent programme that is being arranged for Mr. Scutt's benefit at the Gaiety Theatre on Monday week, June 24th, is a lantern lecture on New Zealand by the popular resident Manager himself. Mr. Scutt is New Zealand enthusiast, and he can talk on the subject of the Colony for hours if need be, although it is intended that his lecture shall be a very short one, because there are several other things to presented, including a performance of that old but ever-favourite farce, "Box and Cox" with Mr. Scutt as Cox. But if Mr. Scutt once gets his audience interested, as he is sure to do, they will not notice the flight of time, as happened to our representative who had a chat with him about his experiences on Tuesday evening. ..... Those who know Mr. Scutt capabilities as manager will be surprised to find that he has filled but a small part up to now in his life, for the last thing he thought of doing, apparently, during the five years he stayed in Australasia, three in New Zealand and two in Western Australia, was acting, and like many another who has done well in the profession, he practically drifted into it, started life as a mechanical engineer, and went out to Western Australia at the time of the gold boom, purely on his own account, being led there by the adventurous disposition, which was, no doubt, of the heritage he derived (being a West Countryman) from those adventurers who did so much towards forming our Colonial Empire in the days of Good Queen Bess. But Mr. Scutt did not go gold mining, because he was not impressed with the results shown by those who had been up to the goldfields. So he stayed on the coast and followed his profession, taking part in the building of Freemantle Harbour, Western Australia. Mr. Scutt considers a greatly libelled Colony, because he says the country is not a desert, as is usually asserted, but contains some of the most beautiful forest land in the world. After two years in Western Australia he went to New Zealand, which he says he loves even more than his native country. The climate, the lovely scenery, the fertile land, and the almost Utopian condition? of existence which prevail there, have ill enraptured him with this Colony, in which he spent three years, still doing engineering, but chiefly of an agricultural nature. In the course of his residence in this "scenic paradise" Mr. Scutt collected a number of curious objects peculiar to the country, and also a good deal of the literature of the country. One thing that impressed him was the excellence of the books got out by the Government to attract emigrants. And an interesting point that Mr. Scutt was able to verify every statement in the literature he obtained about the country before proceeding to Western Australia and New Zealand. He convinced that New Zealand is an ideal country to live in and that if it were not for distance a great many more emigrants from this country would out there. He lived the simple life out there, and never knew a day's illness, yet life in the bush was not a soft thing by any means. He bathed in the boiling geysers, and includes in his collection a couple of tusks of a wild boar, the descendant of the harmless pigs which Captain Cook introduced into the country. Being possessed of some artistic ability, Mr. Scutt made a point of sketching beauty spots and things interest everywhere. and now possesses a couple of books full of capital pictures. He lived for some time in Auckland, and it is interesting to learn that out there he knew Mr. H. Brett, the nephew of the late Mr. T. B. Brett, who controls several newspapers there. It may be asked why, if he was so fond of the country, Mr. Scutt returned to England, but private reasons made it imperative for to come home, and hopes to be able to go back to New Zealand some day. It was on his return to the Old Country that Mr. Scutt really started on his dramatic career, although he had been an enthusiastic amateur actor for many years previous. He has seen every side of theatrical life, as actor, stage manager, business manager, and manager. He was resident manager at the Theatre Royal, Leamington Spa, from 1901 to 190*, then he went on tour with Mr. Charles Frohman in "Sherlock Holmes," and in June 1905, came to Hastings to take up the position of resident manager at the Gaiety Theatre, where he has remained ever since, winning a reputation for geniality and courtesy, which has made him popular with all who have come into contact with him in the town during the last two years, and it is certain that all these will rally round him next Monday week, and show their appreciation of his work by according him a "bumper" benefit. A finely comprehensive and varied programme has been prepared for the benefit. Besides the lecture on New Zealand mentioned above, which will be illustrated by some magnificent lantern slides of the beautiful scenery and wonders of nature to be seen in that country, there will also bioscope exhibition by Mr. Rowland, the manager of the Theatre. Then Mr. Laurence Hanray and Miss Dorothy Payn will appear in a series of variety sketches, and in "Box and Cox," Mr. Scutt will be assisted by Mr. & Mrs. Charles Esdale, who have had large professional experience, and are now living at ...... Another short farce will also be played, entitled "He, she and it," in which Mr Scutt will appear with Miss Jessica Thorne, a grand-daughter of the late Miss Sarah Thorne. Mr. Thomas Hilton, the capable conductor of the Theatre Orchestra, will play a violin solo, and the ever popular local favourite J. D. Hunter, will give some of his exquisitely funny songs and character sketches. Mr. Bert Forss, another well-known performer in character sketches, etc., will also appear.] [Hastings & St Leonards Observer, Saturday 08 February 1908. We regret to record that Mr Scutt, the popular local Manager of the Hastings Theatre, has sustained a sudden bereavement by the death of his father Mr Scutt, sen., who lived near Weymouth, was Justice of the Peace for the county of Dorset, and vice-Chairman of the Guardians at Weymouth, was County Councillor and member of one of the oldest families in Dorsetshire. At the meeting the Theatre Directors, Thursday, a vote of was passed to Mr. Scutt.] [Hastings & St Leonards Observer, Saturday 08 February 1908. Charles E Scutt. "Language" Sir, I should be glad if you could find space to ventilate a little grievance. The films have censorship, quite rightly, when so many unformed minds may hurt by what is put before their eyes. But it seems there is a growing laxity in the language permitted on the stage, which is a pity. A very popular company in in this town who who have delighted us for some years now, shocked a good many. I think, in their performance this week by the use, several times repeated, of two objectionable words. One these was certainly used by Mr. Bernard Shaw. But he did it deliberately, showing a lapse into class. The girl's father was a dustman. But the audience are not dustmen, nor that class, and it seems a great pity to shock sensitive ears with it. And it is quite unnecessary, as is also the frequent use of the words "My God" and its like. It looks as though the stage may yet beat the talkies, but must watch its language. E L BISHOP, 7 West Hill, St. Leonards.] [C E S living in 1911-31 in Hastings.] [Hastings & St Leonards Observer, Saturday 03 December 1938. Letters to the Editor , Hastings and its Natural Assets Sir. The letter handed to you by the Mayor and signed R. G. Praill in your last week's issue deserves all the publicity it can obtain. The letter dealt very fully with the "Old Town" as one of our great assets, and the writer says "if you only knew" you have "a gem to show the foreigner." Two great downs, the East Hill and Castle Down from Rotherfield - avenue to the Castle cliffs give the requisite settings to this gem and lend "enchantment to the view. Nothing is done to recommend this view to the notice of the world. Nevertheless. Castle Down, with its castle, caves and other objects of antiquarian interest, has in connection with the unique marine and landscape views—a long series of views varying every few yards—something priceless to show. From the south of Plynlimmon Terrace (which a hotel proprietor once described as the very best site for a hotel on the whole of the South Coast), the whole of Pevensey Bay backed by the Eastbourne Downs and Beachy Head skyline round to the top of the Ridge, in front the sea with great liners coming closer to the shore, and to the east the buttress of East Hill with its Roman camp on the skyline and a narrow strip sea running almost to meet it. The Old Town nestling in its valley. Further on at the elbow of Croft Road, overlooking Tor Field, you have a really astounding view which places Hastings in the forefront all seaside resorts. No expenditure of millions can give any other town such an asset. We have it for nothing — all we have to do is to preserve it. It is, I submit with all deference to town planners, in the true interest of Hastings (and St. Leonards) that the adjoining land now being desired by different committees of the Town Council should for 10 years, at any rate, be handed to the Allotment Committee, who proved its efficiency so that in these times of anxiety more food may be produced by willing workers. It is the "richest bit of land left in Hastings," and the surrounding allotments which have gained the proud position of "first in England" will be further protected. The clouds are heavy, very heavy over Europe, and potatoes on land will be better than at the bottom of the sea! As allotments it will prove of immediate use — economically sound and further preserve the opportunity of doing greater things in the future to enhance the glories of one of the brightest gems in the diadem of England. Charles E. Scutt.] [He was also known as Edmund Scutt (Census 1881 Dorset) and as Charles Thalassa Scutt.] [C E S - 82yr.]