Thomas Ryder (actor) facts for kids
Thomas Ryder (born 1735, died 1790) was a famous British actor and theatre manager. He was well-known for his work at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. People thought he was best at playing funny, everyday characters in comedies.
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Who was Thomas Ryder's family?
Thomas Ryder was the son of Preswick Ryder, who was also an actor and theatre manager. His mother, Sarah, was an actress too. Thomas might have been born in Nottinghamshire, England. He started acting on stage early in his life, including in Scotland.
What did Ryder do in Dublin?
Ryder first appeared at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin on December 7, 1757. The theatre was then run by Thomas Sheridan. Ryder played Captain Plume in a play called The Recruiting Officer. He quickly became a favorite with the audience.
After Sheridan's theatre faced problems, Ryder stayed on with the new manager, Brown. He acted alongside Frances Abington in plays like High Life Below Stairs. Later, he also performed under the manager Henry Mossop.
For five years, Ryder led his own acting group. They traveled around Ireland. He returned to Smock Alley Theatre as Sir John Restless in All in the Wrong. His return helped the theatre become successful again for a while. During quieter times, Ryder performed at Ranelagh Gardens in Dublin.
How did Ryder become a theatre manager?
In the autumn of 1772, Henry Mossop, the theatre manager, left his job. Thomas Ryder then took over the management of Smock Alley Theatre. He opened in September with the play She Would and She Would Not, where he played Trappanti for the first time. People said he was the most versatile actor alive. He could perform in tragedies, comedies, operas, and farces.
Ryder continued to manage the theatre in Dublin until 1782. He even won a lottery prize early on, which helped him. However, his success slowly decreased. When the Fishamble Street Theatre opened, it started to take away his audience. Ryder had the words of the play The Duenna written down quickly. He then produced his own version called The Governess. A legal case followed, but Ryder won.
He owned a carriage and a country house called "Ryder's Folly," which he sold before it was finished. He also became a printer. He edited plays he acted in, printed them, and published a theatre newspaper three times a week.
Ryder tried to manage both Crow Street Theatre and Smock Alley. But he eventually gave up Crow Street to Richard Daly. In 1782, he stopped being a manager and joined Daly's acting company instead.
What about Ryder's London performances?
On October 25, 1787, Ryder performed in England for the first time. He played Sir John Brute in The Provoked Wife at Covent Garden. His first performance was not a huge success. Another actor, John Edwin the elder, already played many of Ryder's best roles.
However, Ryder did perform many of his favorite characters during his first season. He stayed at Covent Garden until he died, with one short visit to the Haymarket Theatre in the summer. Some new roles he played at Covent Garden included Carty in O'Keeffe's Tantarara Rogues All and Hector in O'Keeffe's Pharo Table.
When did Thomas Ryder die?
On November 19, 1790, Ryder played Old Groveby in the play Maid of the Oaks. A week later, on November 26, 1790, he died in Sandymount, Dublin. He was buried in the churchyard of Drumcondra.
What plays did Ryder write?
Ryder wrote two plays himself:
- Like Master Like Man: This was a short comedy (a farce) first performed in Dublin in 1770. It was a shorter version of a play by John Vanbrugh.
- Such Things have been: This was a two-act comedy. Ryder performed it for his own benefit at Covent Garden on March 31, 1789, and it was later printed.
Who was in Ryder's family?
Ryder got married before the 1771–72 theatre season. His wife, Mrs. Ryder, also acted. She played roles like Clementina, Constance in King John, and Lady Macbeth.
Two of Ryder's daughters also acted for a short time at Covent Garden. On April 16, 1790, Miss Ryder played Estifania and Miss R. Ryder played Leonora. Their father, Thomas Ryder, played Leon in the same play, Rule a Wife and have a Wife. Ryder's son joined the army and sadly died in a duel in 1796.
