Mark Ambient

Harold Harley (20 June 1860 – 11 August 1937), known by his pen name Mark Ambient, was an English actor and dramatist. He is particularly noted as a writer of the musical comedy The Arcadians, first produced in 1909.[1][2]

For the character in a story by Henry James, see The Author of Beltraffio.

He was born in Rastrick, Yorkshire, son of Robert Harley, a Congregational minister and mathematician. He was educated at Mill Hill School in London, where his father was vice-principal, and King's College, Cambridge, graduating BA in 1884.[1]

Works
  • Oh! Susannah! "A Farcical Comedy" in three acts: first produced at the Eden Theatre, Brighton, opening on 6 September 1897, afterwards at the Royalty Theatre, London.[3]
  • A Little Ray of Sunshine, a play in three acts by Ambient and Wilton Heriot, was first performed in the Assembly Rooms, Yeovil, opening on 3 May 1898. The first London performance was at the Royalty Theatre, opening on 31 December 1898; it featured W. S. Penley as Lord Markham. In New York it opened at Wallack's Theatre on 28 August 1899, running for 22 performances. It was the inaugural production of the Great Queen Street Theatre, London, after its reconstruction; it ran from 24 May to 6 July 1900 (44 performances).[4][5]
  • A Snug Little Kingdom, "A Comedy of Bohemia" in three acts, was performed at the Royalty Theatre, running from 31 January to 28 February 1903 (28 performances). It featured Charles Warner, Lyn Harding and H. B. Warner.[6]
  • The Arcadians, "A Fantastic Musical Play" in three acts: book by Ambient and Alexander M. Thompson, lyrics by Arthur Wimperis, music by Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot. It was first produced at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, opening on 29 April 1909 and running for 809 performances. In New York it opened at the Liberty Theatre on 17 January 1910, running for 136 performances.[7][8]
  • The Light Blues, a musical comedy: book by Ambient and Jack Hulbert, lyrics by Adrian Ross, music by Howard Talbot and Herman Finck. It was first seen on a provincial tour in 1915. At the Shaftesbury Theatre in London it ran from 14 September to 30 September 1916 (20 performances).[9]

References
  1. Alumni Cantabrigienses: A Biographical List of All Known Students, Graduates and Holders of Office at the University of Cambridge, from the Earliest Times to 1900 Volume 2, page 246.
  2. Mark Ambient IMDb, accessed 19 August 2017.
  3. Introduction to the script published by Samuel French, 1905
  4. J. P. Wearing. The London Stage 1900-1909: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel. Page 20. Scarecrow Press 2013.
  5. A Little Ray of Sunshine IBDB, accessed 19 August 2017.
  6. J. P. Wearing. The London Stage 1900-1909: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel. Page 130. Scarecrow Press 2013.
  7. The Arcadians Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, accessed 19 August 2017.
  8. The Arcadians The Guide to Musical Theatre, accessed 19 August 2017.
  9. London Musicals 1915–1919 Over the Footlights, accessed 19 August 2017.
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