William Pinkethman facts for kids
William Pinkethman (sometimes called Penkethman or Pinkey) was a funny English actor and theatre manager. He lived from about 1660 to 1725. People thought he was good at making audiences laugh. He was known for his silly, "droll" style of acting.
Pinkethman started acting in the 1690s at the Drury Lane Theatre in London. At first, he had small parts. But he became famous for saying the opening and closing speeches of plays. He was even known for riding a donkey on stage! Later in his life, he opened his own theatre in Richmond.
Becoming a Star Actor
William Pinkethman worked hard to become a great actor. He learned to control his acting so he wouldn't overdo it. His first known role was in 1692. He played a tailor named Stitchum in a play called The Volunteers. This part only had six lines!
After some famous actors left the theatre in 1695, Pinkethman started getting bigger roles. In 1702, he played Old Mirabel in a play called The Inconstant. He also became known for his special "Pinkethman's Epilogue." He was very good at adding his own funny lines during a show. One writer, Charles Gildon, once said that Pinkethman "spoils many a part with his own stuff" because he was so lively!
In 1703, Pinkethman created new characters in several plays. He played Squib in Tunbridge Walks and Maggothead in Old Mode and the New. He also performed at a special fair called Bartholomew Fair. There, he played Toby in a short, funny play called Jephtha's Rash Vow.
After two big theatre groups joined together in 1708, Pinkethman still got important roles. In 1707, he and another actor, Jubilee Dicky, performed a new closing speech together. They acted as the characters "Somebody" and "Nobody."
Opening His Own Shows
From 1698, Pinkethman also started putting on his own shows. He became a promoter and manager of different kinds of entertainment. When the main theatres closed for the summer, he would organize shows at fairs. He mixed fairground fun with theatre and big spectacles. This helped him earn a lot of money throughout his life.
On June 15, 1710, Pinkethman opened his own theatre in Greenwich. He put on both funny and serious plays there. This theatre stayed open until September 1711. He also performed at the Southwark Fair in 1717. He played Old Merriman in a droll (a short, funny play) called Twice Married and a Maid still.
Later Acting Years
In 1718, Pinkethman played Ringwood in a play called The Play is the Plot at Drury Lane. In 1721, he was the first Sir Gilbert Wrangle in a play called The Refusal. These were some of his last new roles.
In 1723, he played Pyramus in a funny scene from Midsummer Night's Dream. This scene was put into another play called Love in a Forest. Pinkethman continued to perform for his fans. In 1724, he appeared in a play called Epsom Wells. He also played Judge Tutchin in Ram Alley, or Merry Tricks at some point.
Pinkethman's Family
William Pinkethman married Elizabeth Hill in 1714. They got married in Bow Church, Middlesex. Pinkethman also had a son who became an actor. His son took over his father's booth (a small theatre at a fair). Pinkethman's son also acted in plays. He played Waitwell in The Way of the World in 1732. He died in 1740.
