The Man who broke the bank of Monte Carlo

Charles Deville Wells had many faces, inventor, entrepreneur, swindler, banker and fraudster, but perhaps he is best known as ‘The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo’. 

One day in 1891 theatrical agent and son of a music hall comedian, Fred Gilbert, spotted a newspaper seller’s placard which read ‘The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo’. It was this headline that inspired him to write the music hall hit of the same name which immortalised Wells.

Lisa Fairfield is an actress and producer for Ignite Theatre which delivers high calibre, affordable theatre to Newhaven and surrounding areas. Click here to find out more about Ignite Theatre and their upcoming productions.

Placement:

86 Fort Road, Newhaven

Research:

Dr Jenny Flood and Lisa Fairfield

Acknowledgements:

Written by Dr Jenny Flood and Lisa Fairfield. Narrated by Lisa Fairfield and recorded and produced by Mike Flood. If you want to find out more about Charles Deville Wells’ life, Robin Quinn’s well-researched book ‘The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo’ makes fascinating reading.

Code Ref: CCTHK