James Agate

James Evershed Agat (September 9, 1877 - June 6, 1947) was an English diary and theater critic between the two world wars. He took up journalism at the age of about twenty and was in the State of Manchester Guardian in 1907-1914. He later became a dramatic critic in Saturday's Review (1921-1923), The Sunday Times (1923-1947) and The BBC (1925-1932). Agatha’s nine volumes of diaries and letters cover the British theater of his time and non-theater interests such as sports, social gossip, and personal health and financial concerns. He published three novels, translated a short play in London, and regularly published collections of theatrical essays and reviews. Agate, the eldest child of Agate Charles James (1832-1909), a wholesale linen draper, and Julia nee Julia, was born in Pendleton, near Manchester, England. His father showed great interest in music and theater and was associated with them. Gustave Garcia, the nephew of prima donna Maria Malibran, was a longtime friend of Charles, since they studied together at a cotton warehouse. Agatha's mother was educated in Paris and Heidelberg and was an experienced pianist. Thanks to Agatha's family ties with the active German art community in Manchester, he influenced performance a lot in his youth. In October 1912, Sarah Bernhardt visited the house of Agatha, which testifies to the position of the family on the local art scene. Agatha's only sister, May, later studied acting at Bernard in Paris.