Nannette Johnston facts for kids

Nannette Johnston in 1812.

Nannette Johnston was a talented British stage actress and dancer who performed during the Regency era. She was born in London in 1782. Her father, William Parker, was also an actor.

Nannette grew up and received her education in Edinburgh, where her father was working. This is where she first began her career as a dancer.

Early Career and Family Life

In 1796, Nannette married Henry Erskine Johnston, who was also an actor. They had six children together.

After their marriage, Nannette and Henry moved to Dublin for a short time to perform. Then, they headed to London, which was a major center for theatre.

Performing in London Theatres

In London, Nannette performed at famous venues like the Covent Garden and the Haymarket. These were very important theatres at the time.

Later, she and her husband moved to the Drury Lane for two seasons. After that, they returned to perform at Covent Garden again.

Later Life and Retirement

Nannette Johnston continued to act for several years. In 1811, while performing in Dublin, her personal life changed, and she later separated from her husband.

She continued her career, but by 1814, she was released from her contract at Covent Garden. After this, she mostly retired from acting. She did perform one last time in 1816 for a special event to help another actor, William A. Conway.

In 1820, her marriage to Henry Johnston officially ended. Nannette Johnston was still alive in 1826, but not much is known about what she did in her later years.

Selected Roles

Nannette Johnston played many different characters during her acting career. Here are some of her notable roles:

• Miss Blandford in Speed the Plough by Thomas Morton (1798)
• Amelia Wildenhaim in Lovers' Vows by Elizabeth Inchbald (1798)
• Aurelia in Five Thousand a Year by Thomas John Dibdin (1799)
• Gangica in The Votary of Wealth by Joseph George Holman (1799)
• Ruth Starch in The Wise Man of the East by Elizabeth Inchbald (1799)
• Amelrosa in Alfonso, King of Castile by Matthew Lewis (1802)
• Lady Caroline Braymore in John Bull by George Colman the Younger (1803)
• Rosara in The Venetian Outlaw by Robert William Elliston (1805)
• Zorilda in Timour the Tartar by Matthew Lewis (1811)
• Lady Julia Sandford in The Gazette Extraordinary by Joseph George Holman (1811)
• Almeyda in The Renegade by Frederic Reynolds (1812)