Montague Talbot facts for kids
Montague Talbot (1774–1831) was a famous stage actor and theatre manager from Ireland. He was born in Boston, which was then part of Colonial America.
His father was a captain in the British Army stationed in Boston. Sadly, his father passed away in 1782 when his ship sank. Montague Talbot first studied to become a lawyer in London. However, he soon decided to pursue a career in acting instead.
Early Acting Career
Montague Talbot made his first big appearance at the Covent Garden Theatre on January 13, 1794. He performed in a play called Douglas.
After his debut, he acted at the Crow Street Theatre in Dublin from 1794 to 1795. He later returned to Crow Street and performed there until 1798. For a short time, he also acted in Liverpool. In 1799–1800, he joined the Drury Lane company in London.
Becoming a Theatre Manager
Most of Montague Talbot's career was spent acting and managing theatres in Scotland and Ireland. He took over as manager of the Arthur Street Theatre in Belfast. Before him, Thomas Ludford Bellamy and Michael Atkins had managed the theatre.
Between 1808 and 1821, Talbot managed theatres in Belfast, Newry, and Derry. During this time, he continued to play leading roles on stage. He was very good at his job! He even convinced the famous actor John Philip Kemble to perform in Belfast. Talbot also helped start the career of the talented actress Elizabeth O'Neill.
Later Life and Family
In 1812, Montague Talbot went back to London for his first performance at the Haymarket. From 1821 onwards, he mainly acted at the Crow Street Theatre in Dublin. He also made occasional appearances in Belfast. He passed away in Belfast in April 1831.
Montague Talbot married Emily Talbot, who was also an actress, in 1800. They had five children together.
Famous Roles
Here are some of the plays where Montague Talbot played important characters:
- Douglas in Douglas by John Home (1794)
- Young Mirable in The Inconstant by George Farquhar (1799)
- Charles Surface in The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1800)
- Rezenvelt in De Monfort by Joanna Baillie (1800)
- Algernon in Indiscretion by Prince Hoare (1800)
- The Stranger in The Stranger by Benjamin Thompson (1811)
- The Duke in The Honeymoon by John Tobin (1812)
- Ranger in The Suspicious Husband by Benjamin Hoadly (1812)
