An Apology for the Life of James FennellB. Blom, 1969 - 510 pages In this book, English/American actor James Fennell recites the tale of his life. The facts are these: born in London in 1766, Fennel had a reasonable education at Bow, Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. His life at university was extravagant, so with extensive gambling debts he entered Lincoln's Inn. Unsuccessful there, he removed to Edinburgh in 1787, with a view to adopting the stage as a profession. He played six times in Edinburgh with some success, and accepted an engagement for the following season. Returning to London, he appeared at Covent Garden Theatre 12 October 1787 as Othello, and acted in other plays. In 1792 he married, and in 1793 he accepted an offer from the Philadelphia Theatre, and started for America. Between 1797 and 1806 he acted at many theatres in New York, Boston, and elsewhere without establishing a position. He gave readings and recitations at College Hall, Philadelphia, and for a time kept an academy at Charlestown, Massachusetts. In 1815, at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, he was allowed to attempt Lear, but his memory was gone. He died 14 June 1816. |
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Page 195
... Othello on the Thursday following : I observed that I should prefer a later day , upon which the Saturday was ... Othello himself ? " No , " said he ; " I have been forty years on the stage , and have never blacked my face , or passed ...
... Othello on the Thursday following : I observed that I should prefer a later day , upon which the Saturday was ... Othello himself ? " No , " said he ; " I have been forty years on the stage , and have never blacked my face , or passed ...
Page 409
... Othello for his benefit . Mr. Wood informed me that Othello would be performed before Mr. Cooke's bene- fit . I wrote a note to Mr. Cooke which 409.
... Othello for his benefit . Mr. Wood informed me that Othello would be performed before Mr. Cooke's bene- fit . I wrote a note to Mr. Cooke which 409.
Page 493
... Othello for his benefit , after a few preliminary remarks , which , as recapitulations , I will make as concise as possible . Mr. Cooke visited me at my recitations ; called on me during the intervals , in my school - room , requesting ...
... Othello for his benefit , after a few preliminary remarks , which , as recapitulations , I will make as concise as possible . Mr. Cooke visited me at my recitations ; called on me during the intervals , in my school - room , requesting ...
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acquainted afterwards amiable amusement appeared arrived asked assistance attended audience bashaw boys Bruce Buxton Calais called Carr cause character conduct consented consequently conversation Dartford determined dine dinner dollars duty Edinburgh endeavour engaged England entered error Eton Eton college eyes father favour feelings felt Fennell fête champêtre folly frequently gentleman give guineas happy honour horses hundred immediately induced indulged informed introduced invited Jaffier John Hollins lady letter Lincoln's inn London lord Louis the fourteenth manager Matlock ment miles mind Mobjack bay morning mother nature never Newyork night observed occasion occasionally Othello party passed performed person Philadelphia play pleasure portmanteau pounds procured racter received recitations replied requested respect Scotland sent soon stage suffered theatre thing thought thousand guineas tion told took Topal Osman virtue wish young