Emile Littler

Emile Littler, born Emile Richeux on 9 September 1903 in Ramsgate, Kent, was an English theatrical impresario, producer, author, and actor who appeared on Broadway during the 1929–1930 season. He died on 23 January 1985 at his home in Sussex at the age of 81.

Littler was the younger of two sons among five children born to Jules Richeux (1863–1911), a cigar importer, and his wife Agnes May, née Paisey (b. 1874). His father became a theatrical proprietor, leasing the Ramsgate Victoria Pavilion from 1906, while his mother leased the Royal Artillery Theatre in Woolwich from 1909. Following Jules Richeux's death in 1911, Agnes married theatre manager Frank Rolison Littler (1879–1940) in 1914, and all five children were adopted by him and took his surname. Two of Littler's siblings, his elder brother Prince and his sister Blanche, also pursued careers in theatrical management.

After private schooling at Stratford-upon-Avon and an early period as an actor, Littler moved into backstage work. He served as assistant manager of a theatre in Southend-on-Sea in 1922, followed by a position as assistant stage manager at Sir Barry Jackson's Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Between 1927 and 1931 he worked in the United States for four years, including engagements with the Shubert organization. His Broadway appearances during this period included the play His Majesty's Car and the play Michael and Mary, both produced during the 1929–1930 season.

Upon returning to Britain, Littler became manager and licensee of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in September 1931. In 1933 he married actress Cora Goffin, and the couple had two daughters. The following year he established his own management company. His productions spanned a wide range of theatrical work, including Victoria Regina, 1066 and All That, Once in a Lifetime, Song of Norway, Annie Get Your Gun, and Zip Goes a Million, as well as revivals of The Maid of the Mountains, The Quaker Girl, Lilac Time, The Student Prince, and The Desert Song. He presented more than two hundred Christmas pantomimes across London and major cities throughout the British Isles, serving as author or co-author of many of them.

Littler controlled the Palace Theatre in London from 1946 to 1983 and served two terms as President of the Society of West End Theatre Managers, from 1964 to 1967 and again from 1969 to 1970. He also held a position on the board of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Outside the theatre, he was a racehorse owner, with horses including Jack & Jill, Astafa, and Irish Ball. Littler retired from producing in 1973 and was knighted the following year.