Thomas Elrington (actor) facts for kids

Thomas Elrington (1688–1732) was a famous English actor. He was known for his strong performances on stage in both London and Dublin during the early 1700s.

Early Life and First Steps on Stage

Thomas Elrington was born in London in 1688. His father wanted him to become an upholsterer. So, Thomas started learning this trade in a busy part of London called Covent Garden.

But Thomas had a secret passion: acting! He and his friend, William Chetwood, often tried to put on plays just for fun. They faced many challenges trying to perform as amateurs.

Eventually, Thomas met Theophilus Keene, who was already a well-known actor. With Keene's help, Thomas finally got his chance to act on a real stage. His first official performance was on December 2, 1709, at the Drury Lane theatre in London. He played the main character, Oroonoko. After that, he took on many other important roles. He even performed with another famous actor, William Penkethman, in Greenwich.

Moving to Dublin and Becoming a Manager

In 1712, Thomas Elrington moved to Dublin, Ireland. He joined the Smock Alley Theatre, which was managed by Joseph Ashbury. From the very beginning, Thomas was given leading roles in both serious plays (tragedies) and funny plays (comedies). He quickly became a star in Dublin.

In 1713, Thomas married Francis Ashbury, who was Joseph Ashbury's daughter. After his father-in-law passed away, Thomas took over as the manager of the Smock Alley Theatre. Under his leadership, the theatre became very successful. Thomas also held other important positions in Dublin. He was highly respected by both the public and other artists.

Returning to London and Final Years

Even though he was very busy in Dublin, Thomas Elrington still visited London to perform. In 1715, he played Cassius in Julius Caesar at Drury Lane. He also took on other major roles like Hamlet. He was often the first actor to play new characters in brand-new plays.

After 1718, Thomas stayed in Ireland for about ten years. But in 1728, he returned to London's Drury Lane theatre. This was because another famous actor, Barton Booth, was ill. Thomas became the main star of the theatre for that season. He played many classic roles, including Othello and Cato.

London theatre managers offered him a permanent job. However, Thomas turned them down. He said he was so well-liked and well-paid in Ireland that he couldn't leave. He even said that he was welcome in every important house in Ireland!

After returning to Ireland, Thomas became ill. He passed away on July 22, 1732. He was buried in St. Michan's churchyard in Dublin, close to his father-in-law. His last performance was about a month before he died.

Thomas Elrington's Acting Style

Thomas Elrington was not just a good actor; many people thought he was a great one. He was very popular in Dublin and all over Ireland. His acting style was influenced by another famous actor, John Verbruggen.

People said he was amazing in the play Oroonoko. Even Charles Macklin, another great actor, spoke highly of Thomas's performance in one particular scene. Some people even thought that the famous actor Colley Cibber was a little jealous of Thomas because Cibber never mentioned him in his own book about theatre.

Thomas was described as well-built with a strong, clear, and pleasant voice. When he performed the role of Zanga in Dublin, the writer Edward Young praised him highly. Young said he had never seen the part played so well.

Even though he was a star, Thomas Elrington was humble. He once admitted that when he acted with Barton Booth, Booth's performance was so powerful that it made him feel small in comparison. Historians like Philip Highfill say that Thomas Elrington was one of the most important actors of his time. He helped bridge the gap between earlier great actors like Betterton and later ones like Garrick.

His Family

Thomas Elrington had three sons and one daughter. Two of his sons, Joseph and Richard, also became actors. His daughter also acted and married an actor. She was known as Miss Nancy Elrington and was thought to have the potential to become one of Ireland's greatest actresses.

After Thomas died, his wife Francis helped manage the Smock Alley Theatre. Thomas had also started a project to build a new theatre in Cork. This theatre was completed, and in 1741, Francis sold it along with another theatre in Waterford. She received a good income from these sales. She was still alive in 1752 and continued to visit the Smock Alley Theatre.