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 229
... occasion , is the only precedent we can ap- ply to . There , on the least shadow of a disturbance being meditated , measures the most effectual are adopt- ed to counteract its effects . " If a new play is intended to be run down , a ...
... occasion , is the only precedent we can ap- ply to . There , on the least shadow of a disturbance being meditated , measures the most effectual are adopt- ed to counteract its effects . " If a new play is intended to be run down , a ...
Page 278
... occasion a temporary retirement of each from the stage . Mr. Whitlock invited me to his house , where I stayed during my residence in Newcastle ; I was , of course , subject to impressions made from the first relation of occurrences ; I ...
... occasion a temporary retirement of each from the stage . Mr. Whitlock invited me to his house , where I stayed during my residence in Newcastle ; I was , of course , subject to impressions made from the first relation of occurrences ; I ...
Page 284
... occasion , for Mr. Garrick instantly burst in- to a fit of laughter : the audience wondered at the cir cumstance , but only till the object was pointed out to them , when they heartily joined in the mirth , and for- gave the actor ...
... occasion , for Mr. Garrick instantly burst in- to a fit of laughter : the audience wondered at the cir cumstance , but only till the object was pointed out to them , when they heartily joined in the mirth , and for- gave the actor ...
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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