Howett Worster

English singer (baritone), actor, writer, director (born 26 April 1887, died 9 June 1952). Worster trained as a Westminster Abbey chorister before joining George Edwarde’s organisation. After finding success at Daly’s Theatre, London, he toured South Africa, India, and the East before coming to Australia in 1919 (his first known engagement was at Melbourne’s Melba Hall in early August). He later he performed at many “legitimate” concerts, toured in comic opera and musical comedy (for J.C. Williamson’s), appeared in revue and was occasionally secured as a writer and director – including The Marriage of Figaro (1921) and the 1925 revival of the Kenneth Duffield/Dion Titheradge revue, "Snap". Prior to returning to England in late-1925 Worster briefly worked a variety double act on stage and on radio with singer/actress Kitty Reidy. The pair was also embroiled in Worster’s much-publicised divorce. Worster married his Australian wife Muriel in 1919. In late 1924 she sued him for maintenance after he left her. During the proceedings it was revealed that Worster had also threatened to sue actress Bryl Walkely for assault during their 1923 Brisbane season with J. C. Williamson’s (the case was settled out of court, however). The following year Muriel Worster applied for a divorce on the grounds of her husband’s misconduct with Reidy. The case went to court in September, generating much salacious publicity throughout the Australasian region until the divorce was granted in late November. Worster and Reidy left for England shortly afterwards.