Dragons' den investments that failed

CHARLIE FANNING

(1864-1915) Minstrel comic, endman, singer, manager.

Considered one of Australia’s leading comedians of the late nineteenth century, Charles Fanning worked for most of the leading managers of the period, including Harry Rickards.

He also operated his own companies at various times. Fanning formed a sketch act in 1894 with American soubrette Georgie Devoe and the pair later toured internationally for many years before settling in South Africa.

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MAUD FANNING

(1874-1945) Singer, coon impersonator, comic, actress.

Maud Fanning appeared on stage at age five and by the early 1890s had established herself as arguably Australia’s most popular female coon singer, working for every major vaudeville organistation in the Australasian region.

From 1900 she toured with her husband, Arthur Elliott, and their four children (including Violet Elliott and Lulla and Mercia Fanning). Fanning worked in radio in the 1930s and made