Henry Giffard facts for kids

Henry Giffard (1694–1772) was a British stage actor and theatre manager. He was known for running the Goodman's Fields Theatre in London. He also helped discover the famous actor David Garrick.

Early Life of Henry Giffard

Henry Giffard was born in London in 1694. His father was William Giffard. Before becoming an actor, Henry worked as a clerk. He worked for a company called the South Sea Company for several years.

Acting in Ireland

In the 1720s, Henry Giffard joined a theatre group. This group performed at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. This was a very important theatre back then. While in Dublin, Henry married an actress named Mary Lydall. They had two children together. After Mary passed away, he married her relative, Anna Marcella Lydall. She then became known as Mrs. Giffard on stage. In 1726, Henry briefly acted in London. He performed at the Drury Lane theatre. He then returned to London three years later.

Managing Goodman's Fields Theatre

In 1729, Henry Giffard started acting at Thomas Odell's Goodman's Fields Theatre in London. He played many different roles in classic plays. His wife often acted alongside him. After some time at the King's Theatre, Henry took over Goodman's Fields Theatre. This was for the 1731–32 theatre season. He oversaw the building of a new playhouse. This new theatre was on Ayliff Street and could hold about 700 people.

Challenges and Discoveries

In 1735, Henry went back to Ireland to tour. He performed at the new Aungier Street Theatre in Dublin. Back at Goodman's Fields in 1736, he celebrated a royal wedding. He put on a popular play called The Conscious Lovers. This celebrated the marriage of King George II's daughter, Anne. During the 1736–37 season, Henry moved his theatre company. They went to the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre. He soon tried to sell the Goodman's Fields venue, but it was not successful. His plans faced a big problem. The Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, introduced a strict new law. It was called the Licensing Act 1737. This law meant that theatres needed special licences to put on plays in London. Henry did not have one of these licences. Because of this, he could no longer legally stage plays in London. He went back to Ireland and then to Edinburgh. In London, he joined the Drury Lane company as an actor. He spent a lot of time trying to get permission to reopen Goodman's Fields Theatre. In 1740, he finally got the approval.

Finding David Garrick

Around this time, Henry Giffard discovered a very talented actor. His name was David Garrick. Henry started casting Garrick in plays at Goodman's Fields. Garrick's first big role was in Richard III. Henry Giffard played Henry VI in that play. His wife and son, William Giffard, also appeared. Even with Garrick's popular performances, Henry Giffard faced money problems. This was especially true after Garrick left his company. Henry tried to set up his theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields again. However, his goal of creating a third major London theatre failed. The two main theatres were Drury Lane and Covent Garden.

Later Years and Retirement

From 1742 to 1747, Henry Giffard acted in both the Drury Lane and Smock Alley companies. He was also admitted to the Sublime Society of Beef Steaks. This was a famous club for actors and writers. His last season acting in London was in 1748. He performed at Covent Garden. After this, he retired to Brentford, which is west of London.

Selected Roles

• Honorio in The Rival Generals (1722)
• Stanza in The Widow Bewitched (1730)
• Essex in The Fall of the Earl of Essex (1731)
• Scandenberg in Scanderbeg (1733)
• Mirzabdi in The Parricide (1736)
• Addle in The Independent Patriot (1737)
• Riot in The Wife's Relief (1737)
• King Charles in King Charles I (1737)
• Henry IV in Richard III (1741)
• Dumont in Jane Shore (1743)
• Briar in Love the Cause and Cure of Grief (1743)
• Sir Harry Wildair in The Constant Couple (1743)
• Alcanor in Mahomet the Imposter (1744)