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Les origines (1858-1895)

James MacMahon est né à Sandhurst, dans l'état de Victoria, comme il l'indique dans une interview de 1888 :

I am an Australian by birth, having been born at Sandhurst, Victoria in 1858.

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The Northern Miner, Chartes Towers, mardi 4 septembre 1888, p. 2

Après ses premières études, il  rentre comme stagiaire dans un cabinet d'avocat

Mr. James MacMahon was born in Sandhurst, Victoria, in 1858, in which city, after leaving school, he made his first start in life by entering a lawyer's office as an articled clerk.

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Table Talk, Melbourne, vendredi 15 août 1890, p. 5.

Peu intéressé par cette formation, il se lance d'abord dans le journalisme, puis dans le monde du théâtre :

The necessary studies proving any thing but agreeable, the youth abandoned all. notions of achieving legal distinction, by incontinently plunging into journalism, which, in its turn, was thrown over in favor of theatrical management. Mr. MacMahon liked his work as a junior reporter well enough, but, as he never made more, or seemed likely to make more, than two pounds a week at it, his restless disposition prompted him to look about for something more payable, and at seventeen he embarked on the troubled sea of theatrical management. He was successful enough in a small way, but, by degrees, as the months went by, he launched into greater undertakings, and in 1877 entered into an engagement with Mrs. Scott-Siddons to pilot her on an American tour. His journalistic experience served him well during his sojourn in America, as it enabled him to keep on good terms with more than one cantankerous editor by supplying that gentleman with odds and ends of news.

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Table Talk, Melbourne, vendredi 15 août 1890, p. 5.

La rencontre avec la célèbre actrice britannique, Mary Frances Scott-Siddons, a lieu lors du séjour de l'artiste en Australie en 1876. James MacMahon est alors directeur du Royal Princess' Theatre de Bendigo.

Mary Frances Scott-Siddons (1871) © National Portrait Gallery, London	Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo, samedi 14 octobre 1876, p. 1.

Il va devenir ainsi son manager et secrétaire personnel pendant sept ans tant en Europe qu'en Amérique :

For seven years he continued with Mrs Soott-Siddons, alternating between Europe and America, and during this time managed six seasons in the United States and Canada, the summer seasons in the United Kingdom, and a season at the Haymarket, London. His indomitable perseverance brought him under the notice of Mr. Henry Irving, with whom he was next associated in the provincial production throughout England, Ireland and Scotland of Romeo and Juliet. Mr. MacMahon won a brilliant financial success, as well as an extended reputation, for the shrewd, and practical way he " worked " the tour—no easy matter, when it is remembered, that Irving's company consisted of forty-five people, while the scenery and effects weighed over one hundred tons.

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Table Talk, Melbourne, vendredi 15 août 1890, p. 5.

C'esr vers 1890, que James McMahon et ses trois frères Charles, Joseph et William vont se faire connaître sous le nom de "McMahon Brothers".

Le Chronophotographe Demenÿ (1896-)

Jimmy M'Mahon is running the first cinematographe with terrific success throughout Maoriland.Melbourne Punch, Melbourne, jeudi 26 novembre 1896, p. 9.

Et après (-)

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