John Brunton (actor) facts for kids

John Brunton (1741–1822) was an English actor and theatre manager. He managed many theatres in and around Norfolk. John was great at finding new acting talent. Many actors in his company became famous, including his own children and grandchildren. He also used money from his successful plays to help others. For example, he started the Norwich Theatrical Fund.

John Brunton's Early Life

John Brunton was born in Norwich in 1741. His father made soap. John went to grammar school in Norwich. After school, he trained to be a grocer. Later, he moved to Canterbury to work with a relative. There, he met and married Elizabeth Friend. She was the daughter of a tailor. John then moved to London and worked as a grocer and tea-dealer.

Starting His Acting Career

John Brunton became friends with J. Younger, an actor at Covent Garden theatre. This friendship led John to try acting. His first stage appearance was on April 11, 1774, in a play called Cyrus. Soon after, on May 3, he played the main character in Hamlet.

John then started acting in Norwich. On September 2, 1775, he played Hamlet again. This was with the Norwich company at Colchester theatre. He also played Shylock in The Merchant of Venice in Norwich on May 6, 1776. Later that year, on December 1, he was Hamlet at Yarmouth theatre.

By 1779, John was living in Norwich. In 1780, he acted with the famous actress Sarah Siddons. This was in The Tragedy of Jane Shore in Bristol and Bath. People said he had a "very fine and very powerful voice." They thought he would be a great addition to the theatre. On October 28, 1785, he appeared at Covent Garden Theatre again. He played Evander in The Grecian Daughter. His daughter Ann played the main role in that show.

Becoming a Theatre Manager

By 1788, John Brunton became the manager of the Norwich Theatre Circuit. In May of that year, he bought the remaining five-year lease for the Norwich theatre. This meant he was in charge! On May 5, 1790, another of his daughters, Miss E Brunton, made her first appearance at Covent Garden Theatre. She was described as very young and beautiful.

In January 1791, John started the Norwich Theatrical Fund. This fund helped actors who were too old or sick to perform. It was the first fund like this outside of London! Later that month, he gave all the money from one of his shows to local Sunday schools. John's shows were very popular. At a performance in King's Lynn, he made more money than any other manager there. Some of the plays he put on included Better Late than Never and Rosina.

In March, at Norwich, he staged many plays. These included The Road to Ruin, The Old Maid by Arthur Murphy, and The Irish Widow. In April, he put on The Woodman and King Richard the III. His daughter-in-law Anna Ross performed in King Richard the III. Her sister Fanny Robertson also performed in The Grecian Daughter.

In January 1792, John played Eustace de St Pierre in Surrender of Calais. He continued to give money from his shows to local Sunday schools. On March 29, 1792, the local writer Hannah Brand played Queen Margaret in The Battle of Hexham at Norwich.

John's lease on the Norwich theatre ended on June 1, 1800. On that night, he said goodbye to the Norwich theatre. The house was full of people. He played his famous role of Shylock one last time.

John Brunton passed away on December 19, 1822, at 82 years old. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1826.

John Brunton's Family

John Brunton married Elizabeth on August 7, 1766. They had fourteen children! Many of them became actors or theatre managers.

• Ann Brunton Merry was an actress and theatre manager. She married William Warren.
• Elizabeth Columbine (1772–1799) was also an actress.
• John Brunton Jr (1775–1848) was an actor and theatre manager. He managed theatres in Brighton, Norwich, Birmingham, and King's Lynn. John Jr married Anna Ross. Two of their five children, Elizabeth Yates and Fanny Maria Brunton (1803–1883), also became actresses.
• Louisa, Countess of Craven was another of John's children who acted on stage. She married the 1st Earl Craven.
• Thomas (born 1789) and Kitty (born 1789) also appeared on stage.
• His son Lieut-Col Richard Brunton (1787–1846) was a brave soldier. He fought in the Battle of Waterloo and the Crimean War.