Dennis Delane facts for kids
Dennis Delane was a famous Irish actor who performed on stage in London for many years. He passed away in April 1750.
Becoming an Actor
Dennis Delane went to Trinity College, Dublin, a well-known university. He first planned to become a lawyer, someone who works with laws. But around 1728, he decided to try acting.
His very first acting job was at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin. At this theatre, he played many different kinds of characters. He was good at both sad plays (tragedies) and funny plays (comedies). Some of his most important roles were Alexander in a play called 'Rival Queens' and Young Bevil in 'The Conscious Lovers'.
Moving to London
Because he was so good, a theatre manager named Henry Giffard offered him a great deal to come to London. Dennis Delane started acting in London in 1730 at the Goodman's Fields Theatre. His first role there was Chamont in a play called 'Orphan'. He became very successful right away!
For four years, he played many famous roles at Goodman's Fields. These included characters like Othello, Orestes, Hotspur, and the Ghost in 'Hamlet'. He also played Richard III, Brutus, Macbeth, Lear, and Cato.
In 1735, he moved to the Covent Garden theatre. There, he added even more big roles to his list. He played Antony, Falstaff, King John, Jaffier, Richard II, Henry V, and Volpone.
Later, in 1741, he started acting at Drury Lane theatre. He continued to play important parts like Comus, Shylock, Hamlet, and Bajazet. He also created new characters for plays. For example, he was the first to play Mahomet in 'Mahomet' in 1744. He also played Osmond in 'Tancred and Sigismunda' in 1745.
Later Years
In 1748, Dennis Delane returned to the Covent Garden theatre. He stayed there until he passed away. News of his death was shared in a newspaper in April 1750. He was a very busy and talented actor throughout his life.
Selected Roles
Dennis Delane played many different characters during his career. Here are a few of them:
- Amurat in Scanderbeg (1733)
- Weldon in Love the Cause and Cure of Grief (1743)
- Corvus in Regulus (1744)
- Mahomet in Mahomet the Imposter (1744)
- Osmond in Tancred and Sigismunda (1745)
