Who was known to be the first artiste’s agent in London? General Knowledge for Class 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and Competitive Examinations

The first ARTISTE’S AGENT was Ambrose Maynard, who established an office at 20 Waterloo Road, London in 1858 to specialize in bookings for music-hall performers. Maynard had originally been a comic singer and knew the difficulties faced by artistes working in the provinces who wanted to obtain London engagements. For the consideration of she would enter a performer’s name on his list of artistes ‘at liberty’, and circulate it round the London managers. Although there was no shortage of applicants willing to pay this small fee, at first the managers, refused to have anything to do with Maynard or his register. Then one day an artiste booked to appear at a certain hall was unable to appear, and the proprietor found himself in need of a replacement at i short notice. Maynard, happening to be in the right place at the right time, heard of the manager’s dilemma and immediately sent along one of his clients, a seriocomic called, Julia Weston, who filled the breach so admirably that other managers looking for talent began to use Maynard’s services.