Shaun Glenville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shaun Glenville
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Glenville in 1909
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| Born |
John Browne
16 May 1884 Little Denmark Street, Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 28 December 1968 (aged 84) London, England, U.K.
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| Other names | Shaun Glenville-Luck |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1890–1957 |
| Spouse(s) |
Dorothy Ward
(m. 1911) |
| Children | Peter Glenville |
| Relatives | Sister Mary Concepta Lynch |
Shaun Glenville (born John Browne; 16 May 1884 – 28 December 1968) was a famous Irish actor. He was best known for his roles in pantomime shows. In these shows, he often played the funny "Dame" character, while his wife, Dorothy Ward, played the "principal boy" (a girl playing a young male hero). People called him one of the "grand comedians" of the music halls, which were popular entertainment venues. Shaun Glenville had a very long career, lasting 62 years, and he appeared in over 40 pantomimes!
Contents
Early Life and Start in Acting
Shaun Glenville was born as John Browne in Dublin, Ireland. His mother, Mary Browne, managed a theatre and music hall called the Mechanics' Theatre. His father, Henry Browne, was an accountant. Shaun chose the stage name 'Glenville' from a place called Glenville House in County Wicklow.
He started acting incredibly young! His very first time on stage was when he was just two weeks old. He was carried onto the stage in a play called Arrah-na-Pogue at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham.
By 1895, when he was about 11, he joined a group of performers called The Six Brothers Luck. They were known for their funny sketches and variety acts in music halls. In 1907, he toured the United States with them.
Shaun Glenville also worked with Fred Karno's company, which was famous for its comedy acts. By 1909, he was performing in pantomimes all over Britain.
Meeting Dorothy Ward
In 1910, Shaun was playing the Dame in a pantomime called Little Jack Horner in Newcastle. The "principal boy" in that show was played by Dorothy Ward. Shaun and Dorothy fell in love and got married on 13 May 1911.
They had a son named Peter Glenville (1913–1996), who also became an actor and director. Shaun and Dorothy had a very successful career together in pantomime. Dorothy was one of the best "principal boys," and Shaun was known as an amazing "pantomime Dame." For 50 years, they often played mother and son on stage!
A Busy Acting Career
Shaun Glenville performed in many different shows throughout his career. He appeared in plays like The Gay Lothario (1913) and After The Girl (1914). He was also in Razzle Dazzle at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1916.
In 1921, he traveled to New York and performed in Quality Street and The Whirl of New York. He continued to perform in many shows, including Jenny (1922) and The Apache (1926–27) with his wife, Dorothy Ward.
He also acted in musicals like No, No Nanette in 1936. In 1940, Shaun Glenville appeared in two films: Dr. O'Dowd and Jailbirds.
His Many Pantomime Roles
Shaun Glenville was a true pantomime star! He performed in countless pantomimes, often with his wife, Dorothy Ward. He played the Dame in many popular stories.
Some of the pantomimes he appeared in include:
- Humpty Dumpty (1910, 1913, 1914)
- Jack Horner (1910, 1911)
- Tommy Tucker (1912)
- Old King Cole (1915)
- Boy Blue (1916)
- Babes in the Wood (1917)
- Jack and the Beanstalk (1918, 1919, 1920, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1944, 1947, 1949)
- Mother Goose (1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1948)
- Cinderella (1928)
- Robinson Crusoe (1929, 1930)
- Queen of Hearts (1931)
- Puss in Boots (1941)
- Dick Whittington (1953)
As you can see, he often returned to his most popular roles, especially the Dame in Jack and the Beanstalk and Mother Goose.
Songwriting
Shaun Glenville also wrote several songs, often with his friend Fred Godfrey. He recorded two of his songs in 1915: 'Where Did You Get The Name Of Hennessy?' and 'The Yiddisher Irish Baby'. He also performed other songs he wrote on stage, like 'When An Irishman Goes Fighting' and 'Tommy's Learning French'.
Later Years
Shaun Glenville and his wife, Dorothy Ward, retired to London in 1957. Shaun Glenville passed away in 1968. He is remembered as a talented actor and a beloved pantomime star. His son, Peter Glenville, continued the family's legacy in entertainment as an actor, film director, and producer.
