William Dowton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Dowton
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| Born | 25 April 1764 |
| Died | 19 April 1851 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1781 – 1840 |
| Spouse(s) | S. Baker |
William Dowton (1764–1851) was a famous British actor who performed on stage for many years. He was known for playing a wide range of characters, from serious roles to funny ones.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps on Stage
William Dowton was born in Exeter on April 25, 1764. His father was an innkeeper and a grocer. When he was young, William worked with a marble cutter. Later, in 1780, he started training to be an architect.
While he was learning to be an architect, William sometimes acted in a small, private theatre in Exeter. People really liked his performances. This made him want to become a full-time actor. In 1781, he left home and joined a group of traveling actors in Ashburton. He made his first public appearance in a barn, playing the character Carlos in a play called Revenge.
Becoming a Star Actor
After facing some tough times, William Dowton got a job with a theatre manager named Hughes in Weymouth. From there, he went back to Exeter, where he played important roles like Macbeth and Romeo. In September 1791, he joined Mrs. Baker's company in Kent.
In Kent, William started playing different kinds of characters. He became very good at funny roles like La Gloire and Jemmy Jumps. The audience in Canterbury really enjoyed his performances. On October 11, 1796, he made his first appearance in London at the Drury Lane theatre. He played Sheva in a comedy called The Jew and was very popular.
William Dowton was known for being very flexible in his acting. He could play many different types of characters. People especially loved his portrayal of Sir Hugh Evans in Merry Wives of Windsor. Many thought he was the best actor to play Malvolio on the English stage. He also had great success as Mr. Hardcastle in She stoops to conquer and Sir Anthony Absolute in The Rivals. He was famous for playing grumpy old characters, both on and off stage!
Life on the Stage: Challenges and Triumphs
William Dowton stayed at Drury Lane for many years. During the summer, he often performed at the Haymarket Theatre. At one show in 1805, he brought back a funny play called The Tailors. A group of real tailors thought the play would make fun of them. They came to the theatre with scissors and started a small riot! It's said that Dowton bravely faced them, and soldiers had to be called to calm things down.
In 1815, he played Shylock at Drury Lane. The famous poet Lord Byron wanted to see him in this role. While Dowton tried to make the character more complex, some audience members expected a more traditional, less serious performance.
Later, in 1830, William Dowton played Falstaff at Drury Lane. An artist named Robert Buss even drew sketches of him in this role. After this, he managed theatres in Canterbury and Maidstone. He eventually handed these over to his son and focused only on acting.
In 1836, William Dowton traveled to America. He performed in New York City at the Park Theatre. He mostly played older characters there, including his favorite role, Falstaff. At first, American audiences weren't used to his calm and natural acting style. But just as they started to appreciate him, he decided to return home. He gave his last performance in America on November 23, 1836.
Even though he was very famous, William Dowton didn't earn a huge salary. In his later years, he faced financial difficulties. However, a special benefit performance was held for him in 1840. The money raised helped buy him an annuity, which provided for him in his old age.
William Dowton remained healthy until the end of his life. He passed away in Brixton, Surrey, on April 19, 1851, when he was 88 years old.
His Family
In 1794, William Dowton married Sarah Baker. She was also an actress and singer, and her mother, Sarah Baker, was a well-known theatre manager.
William and Sarah had several children. Their oldest son, also named William Dowton, managed the Kent theatre circuit from 1815 to 1835. He also acted in London. Another son, Henry Dowton, born in 1798, was a talented actor too, but he died young.
