He was born in
Great Yarmouth, and began his career at the age of nine playing side-drums at the Theatre Royal in the town. He trained with the Prince of Wales’ Own Norfolk Artillery Band, and played clarinet and violin in local music hall orchestras, before joining a
circus as a clown. He became a member of the Livermore Brothers Court
Minstrels, as a violinist and comedian, and made his London debut in
blackface in 1886. He formed a
double act as 'Engist and Orsa - Musical Clowns', and then formed a comedy and musical duo, 'Warrington and Gillings' with Charles Warrington. They changed their name to 'The Mozarts', and first appeared together in London in 1891. They became successful, and had a 12-month season under
Charles Morton at the
Palace Theatre. According to writer Roy Busby, he "became one of the finest character comedians and pantomime artistes, topping bills at all the major halls for nearly 30 years notably with the one-man sketches 'A Soldier and a Maid' and 'The Family Album'". He made several recordings of his routines, around and shortly after 1900. According to his accompanist
Fred Gaisberg, he made his first recordings having changed into full costume and make-up, assuming he could also be seen by listeners. He toured the United States
vaudeville circuit in 1907. He had an interest in film making, appearing in, and directing, several short silent films including
Coney as Peacemaker (1913). In 1915, he made his first appearance in a
revue, playing
Queen Elizabeth in
André Charlot's
Now is the Time. His last appearance was at the
Victoria Palace, London, a few nights before his death. He died in London in 1947, at the age of 83. ==Filmography==