Edward Joseph Tait (13 July 1878 – 12 July 1947), generally known as "E.J.", was an Australian theatrical entrepreneur closely associated with the firm of

J. C. Williamson Ltd J. C. Williamson's, formerly Williamson, Garner, & Musgrove and Williamson and Musgrove, was an Australian theatrical management company and theatre owner. With its beginnings in the theatrical productions of J. C. Williamson and his pa ...

, and was involved with concerts and theatrical productions for more than 50 years. Born in

Castlemaine, Victoria Castlemaine ( , non-locally also ) is a small city in Victoria, Australia, in the Goldfields region about 120 kilometres (75 miles) northwest by road from Melbourne and about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the major provincial centre of Be ...

, and educated in Melbourne, he was first associated with his brother Charles in organising concert attractions, then in 1900 joined "The Firm" of J. C. Williamson Ltd. as treasurer at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. He remained with J. C. Williamson's (as general manager from 1913) until 1916, when he joined his brothers John and Nevin, who had from 1907 been bringing concert artists to Australia. In 1920, the firm of J. and N. Tait joined with the Williamson organisation; E.J.,

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

, and Frank becoming managing directors in association with Sir George Tallis, and J. Nevin Tait, a London director. His daughter Jessie Nita Tait (1908-1936) was married to the cartoonist

Jimmy Bancks James Charles Bancks (10 May 1889 – 1 July 1952) was an Australian cartoonist best known for his comic strip ''Ginger Meggs''. Biography James Charles Bancks was born in Enmore, New South Wales, Australia on 10 May 1889, the son of an Irish ...

. He was considered one of the most colourful entrepreneurs in the history of the Australian stage. He had remarkable vitality, and was known to work 20 hours a day for days at a stretch. He would return to his office after working all day and half the night directing rehearsals then do desk work until breakfast. He could be intolerant of associates who had not the same stamina and work ethic. Two months before his death he was in New York, negotiating Australian rights to new plays. His body was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium. E. J. Tait was associated during his long career with many famous artists including

John Barrymore John Barrymore (born John Sidney Blyth; February 14 or 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942) was an American actor on stage, screen and radio. A member of the Drew and Barrymore theatrical families, he initially tried to avoid the stage, and briefly att ...

Dame Nellie Melba Dame Nellie Melba (born Helen Porter Mitchell; 19 May 186123 February 1931) was an Australian operatic dramatic coloratura soprano (three octaves). She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian era and the early 20th centur ...

, Julius Knight (Australian leading man, died March 1941),

Maud Jeffries Maud Evelyn Craven Jeffries (14 December 186926 September 1946) was an American actress. A popular subject for a wide range of theatrical post-cards and studio photographs, she was noted for her height, voice, presence, graceful figure, attract ...

, Robert Brough (Australian actor/comedian died April 1906),

Dion Boucicault, Jr. Dion Boucicault Jr. (born Darley George Boucicault; 23 May 1859 – 25 June 1929) was an actor and stage director. A son of the well-known playwright Dion Boucicault and actress Agnes Robertson, he followed his father into the theatrical profe ...

Violet Vanbrugh Violet Vanbrugh (11 June 1867 – 10 November 1942), born Violet Augusta Mary Barnes, was an English actress with a career that spanned more than 50 years. Despite her many successes, her career was overshadowed by that of her more famous sister ...

Florence Young Florence Selina Harriet Young (10 October 1856 – 28 May 1940) was a New Zealand-born missionary who established the Queensland Kanaka Mission in order to convert Kanaka (Pacific Island worker), Kanaka labourers in Queensland, Australia. In addit ...

Nellie Stewart Nellie Stewart, born Eleanor Stewart Towzey (20 November 1858 – 21 June 1931) was an Australian actress and singer, known as "Our Nell" and "Sweet Nell". Born into a theatrical family, Stewart began acting as a child. As a young woman, she ...

, Maggie Moore, Tittell Brune,

Wilson Barrett Wilson Barrett (born William Henry Barrett; 18 February 1846 – 22 July 1904) was an English manager, actor, and playwright. With his company, Barrett is credited with attracting the largest crowds of English theatregoers ever because of his suc ...

Oscar Asche John Stange(r) Heiss Oscar Asche (24 January 1871 – 23 March 1936), better known as Oscar Asche, was an Australian actor, director, and writer, best known for having written, directed, and acted in the record-breaking musical ''Chu Chin C ...

Emélie Polini Emélie Adeline Polini, generally written as Emelie, (24 March 1881 – 31 July 1927) was an English stage actress with a considerable career in Australia. Polini was born in Steyning, Sussex, a daughter of theatrical manager Giovanni Marie ...

and

Lily Brayton Elizabeth "Lily" Brayton (23 June 1876 – 30 April 1953) was an English actress and singer, known for her performances in Shakespeare plays and for her nearly 2,000 performances in the First World War hit musical ''Chu Chin Chow''. Early life ...

. Stage people gave nicknames to the young Tait brothers: "Hesitate" (E. J. Tait), "Cogitate" (F. S. Tait), "Agitate" (J. H. Tait), and "Irritate" (J. N. Tait)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tait, Edward Joseph Australian theatre managers and producers 1878 births 1947 deaths People from Castlemaine, Victoria People from Richmond, Victoria Businesspeople from Melbourne Australian people of Scottish descent Australian people of English descent