Owners / Managers

William Holland

The name of William Holland, next to E. T. Smith, perhaps the most versatile of theatrical managers, is indissolubly associated with the Canterbury and with pantomime at the Surrey Theatre. With the self-imposed title of "The People's Caterer," Holland, throughout his career, adopted an easy going and democratic attitude to his public, well suited to his rotund and amiable physique. Apart from his managements at the Surrey, the Canterbury and the Royal, Holborn, he is to be remembered for the part he played in promoting the Albert Palace at Battersea and the North Woolwich Gardens -a later version of the Surrey Gardens, with their monster concert hall, scenic lake, wigwams, maze and zoo. At the latter end of his career he turned his attention to the brightening of Blackpool, with well-known results.