Background
Francis Courtney Wemyss was born in London, England, son of an officer in the British navy. His mother, Miss Courtney, was born in Boston, Massachussets.
(Excerpt from Twenty-Six Years of the Life of an Actor and...)
Excerpt from Twenty-Six Years of the Life of an Actor and Manager, Vol. 1 of 2: Interspersed With Sketches, Anecdotes, and Opinions of the Professional Merits of the Most Celebrated Actors and Actresses of Our Day To break up these associations, he signified his intention of taking me with him-to London, on a visit to my mother; and l1ttl.e did I think, when joyfully preparing for this trip of pleasure, 1t would be the last time I should ever see my dear mother more; she died ten days after my arrival. Thus the loss of my surviving parent, turned a visit of intended enjoyment into one of mournful condolence, and hastened my return to Dundee. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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Excerpt from Theatrical Biography, or the Life of an Actor and Manager: Interspersed With Sketches, Anecdotes, and Opinions of the Professional Merits of the Most Celebrated Actors and Actresses of Our Day The first bias my mind received towards the stage was thus early given in acting the part of Lady Randolph, in the tra gedy of Douglas, at the house of a schoolfellow named Miller, in which I elicited much undesemed approbation. Private Theatricals are, at the best, ludicrous, and have a dangerous tendency on any young mind imbued with romance. Although I had not at this time the most distant idea of the possibility bf ever becoming an actor, the applause I received on this occasion acted on my imagination at a later period in life, and kindled a flame which nothing could extinguish. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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(Having been freqi Tently asked to commit to paper the var...)
Having been freqi Tently asked to commit to paper the varied scenes of an actors life, in wiiicli I have been engaged, I have commenced, partly from recollection, and partly from memoranda made at various periods, the present journal, under the title of the Life of an Actor and Manager, in the course of which I may have occasion to mention the names of nearly all the European Actors who have appeared upon the American stage during the last twenty years. If any amusement may be derived from such a source, reader, it is at your service; but should the frequent occurrence of the personal pronoun 7, disgust you, lay down the book. If you will travel through it spare its faults under the assurance of its veracity. Wherever a change of opinion has taken place it is faithfully chronicled, without reference to the first impression, which remains as it first struck the author, thus endeavoring to do full justice to my professional brethren. The A tjthgr. New-Y ork, October, (Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.) About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology. Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text. Read books online for free at www.forgottenbooks.org
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(Excerpt from Twenty-Six Years of the Life of an Actor and...)
Excerpt from Twenty-Six Years of the Life of an Actor and Manager, Vol. 2 of 2: Interspersed With Sketches, Anecdotes, and Opinions of the Professional Merits of the Most Celebrated Actors and Actresses of Our Day J. P. Wilkinson - Journey to the West - Beautiful Scenery - Fine Situation of Pittsburgh - Dramatic Festival - Opening of the Pittsburgh Theatre - Tyrone power-booth - General Houston. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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Francis Courtney Wemyss was born in London, England, son of an officer in the British navy. His mother, Miss Courtney, was born in Boston, Massachussets.
Young Wemyss was put to school in Edinburgh and then went into business with his mother's brother, Thomas Courtney, Jr. , in Dundee. He had, as a schoolboy, done some acting, and when he rebelled at his uncle's discipline, he escaped to the stage.
After various experiences with provincial companies, he finally reached London, April 2, 1821. There he was seen by the London agent for the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, and engaged. He reached New York in November 1822, and on December 11 made his American début at the Chestnut Street as Vapid in The Dramatist. The house was poor and his reception not flattering. But he was delighted with the company, which then included William Warren, William Burke Wood, Henry Wallack, the elder Joseph Jefferson, and Mrs. Wood. He made his New York début at the Chatham Garden, September 20, 1824, as Marplot, and in succeeding months played a long list of comedy and farcical rôles. Three years later he was back at the Chestnut Street as stage manager, and in January 1829 he became lessee of that house. Unfortunately he took it over at a time of depression. In his autobiography he records that, with others, he started a fund to aid needy actors, that he often acted two or even three new rôles a night for almost no money at all, and that he once even had to sell lottery tickets to keep his family together. But he had the optimism of his profession, for in 1833 he went three hundred miles by stage to open and manage a new theatre in Pittsburgh. In 1834 he was back in Philadelphia as manager of the Walnut Street house, which he renamed the American Theatre. He paid $4150 a year rent, and the theatre bars paid an additional $3000 to the owners. He also tried management at the Arch Street, Philadelphia, and in Baltimore. His subsequent fortunes are part of the history of the New York stage. In 1841 he became stage manager of the National Theatre, and on April 29 made his appearance as Belmour in Is He Jealous? to the Harriet of Charlotte Cushman. Most often, for a decade, he was stage manager, or acting manager, of some theatre (as the Bowery in 1846 - 47). He was the Duncan to Macready's Macbeth, at the Astor Place Opera House, when the famous riots broke out in May 1849. In September 1849, when Barnum made over his famous "lecture room" into a theatre, Wemyss was the manager. There were regular actors, and also a troop of "Druids, just arrived from Stonehenge. " There was also vaudeville, with Wemyss taking part. In 1850-51 he was at the National again, with the younger Joseph Jefferson. Since certain young players were announced as his "pupils" in 1853, he must have been giving lessons. From 1855 to 1857 he was with Laura Keene, but reduced to such minor parts as Sir Charles Marlow in She Stoops to Conquer. He was not listed in the casts of the new plays, and evidently had not adapted his style to changing tastes. Almost his last appearance was as stage manager for a huge benefit performance on December 18, 1858, to raise money to buy "Mount Vernon" for a national shrine. He died in New York January 5, 1859, survived by his wife and children.
(Having been freqi Tently asked to commit to paper the var...)
(Excerpt from Theatrical Biography, or the Life of an Acto...)
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
(Excerpt from Twenty-Six Years of the Life of an Actor and...)
(Excerpt from Twenty-Six Years of the Life of an Actor and...)
He was a handsome, affable, courteous man. His portrait by Thomas Sully shows a round, pleasant, jovial face, a high, wide forehead, and a mass of very curly hair.
On April 10, 1823, he married a Miss Strembeck.