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 58
... hand . I said I would not : but laying it on the table , he having pre- pared in the meantime the sheet , I told him to act as he pleased , and he would find I would not flinch . He gave me twelve of the severest cuts that ever boy felt ...
... hand . I said I would not : but laying it on the table , he having pre- pared in the meantime the sheet , I told him to act as he pleased , and he would find I would not flinch . He gave me twelve of the severest cuts that ever boy felt ...
Page 62
... hand - writing , which I knew full well ; and in a few days after that another - by this time my father had returned . We consulted together , and it was determined we had nothing to do but to keep the letters , they being anony- mous ...
... hand - writing , which I knew full well ; and in a few days after that another - by this time my father had returned . We consulted together , and it was determined we had nothing to do but to keep the letters , they being anony- mous ...
Page 255
... hand to me , she observed , " I shall now be happy to renew an acquaintance which formerly gave me so much plea- sure . " The pride I felt from having been neglected during the whole winter , prevented my saying more . than " your ...
... hand to me , she observed , " I shall now be happy to renew an acquaintance which formerly gave me so much plea- sure . " The pride I felt from having been neglected during the whole winter , prevented my saying more . than " your ...
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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