Lewis Hallam, Jr. was an England-born American actor, theatrical manager, and part of a family that pioneered professional theatre in the United States.
Background
Lewis Hallam, Jr. was born in 1740, in England, the son of Lewis Hallam, an actor. When bankruptcy overtook William Hallam, manager of an obscure theatre in Leman Street, London, he sent a company of players to the New World in an effort to retrieve his fortunes. As director of the expedition he appointed his brother Lewis, formerly his first low comedian. The leading lady was Lewis's wife, likewise prominent at the London house. They were accompanied by their son Lewis.
The elder Lewis Hallam died, and his widow married David Douglass.
Education
According to his own statement made in later life, Hallam, Jr. was twelve years old at the time he left a grammar school at Cambridge to join the emigrants.
Career
The visitors made their first American appearance at Williamsburg, Virginia, September 15, 1752, in The Merchant of Venice. Several of the colonies had already seen sporadic acting, but with this date begins the continuous history of the American theatre. On this occasion, Lewis, Jr. , initiated his career by rushing from the stage in tearful panic when the time came for him to speak his one line.
After two years of playing in various cities, including New York and Philadelphia, the company transferred its efforts to Jamaica for the next four years. When the reorganized company returned to America in 1758, his stepfather, Douglass, was the manager and a principal actor. Lewis, the younger, was now leading man, assuming such rôles as Hamlet, which he was probably the first to present in this country, and Romeo, which he played at least once to his mother's Juliet.
When the imminence of the Revolution forced the American Company, as Douglass's players were now called, to suspend activities early in 1775, they set up again in Jamaica. Hallam, Jr. had already gone to England, where, it appears, he gave a performance of Hamlet at Covent Garden in 1775. Later he rejoined the troupe in the West Indies. When the war came to an end, the company, much changed, returned to America. Douglass had retired in Jamaica, and Mrs. Douglass had died in or about 1774; consequently, Hallam, Jr. controlled the property.
After a very lean year, Hallam, Jr. entered into a stormy partnership in 1785 with a rival actor and manager, John Henry. For a time there was much moral and patriotic opposition to these so-called British players, but by degrees, they gained a substantial following. Beginning in the early nineties they concentrated largely on New York, with occasional visits to Boston and other northern points, the Philadelphia field being now controlled by Wignell and Reinagle.
In 1794 Henry sold his interest in the property to John Hodgkinson, a recent recruit, who, with Hallam's connivance, had done everything in his power to drive Henry from the company. Hallam, Jr. soon discovered the new partner to be a greater source of discord than the old one. Hodgkinson was greedy for authority and parts for himself and his wife. Hallam, Jr. was forced to yield, but bitter enmity was the inevitable consequence.
In 1796 William Dunlap was induced to become a third partner in the concern. He endeavored to act as mediator, but peace did not result.
In 1797 Hallam, Jr. withdrew from the management but continued his connection as a salaried actor. During his final years, his favorite rôles were gradually usurped by younger men, until in 1806 Cooper, the new director, refused to reëngage the enfeebled actor. After a few "last and only performances" at Philadelphia, Lewis Hallam, Jr. died on November 1, 1808, in that city.
Achievements
Lewis Hallam, Jr. is remembered as an accomplished actor and theatrical manager, who had a significant impact on the development of theatre in the early United States.
The theater building at Prince George's Community College in Maryland is named the Hallam Theater.
Personality
As a theatrical manager, Lewis Hallam, Jr. left much to be desired. Parsimonious, crafty, and quarrelsome, he was often the cause of the troubles in which he found himself. Of medium height, erect, and slender, he was distinguished by grace and vigor.
Connections
About 1793, his first wife having died after a long separation, Lewis Hallam, Jr. married Eliza Tuke, a young and beautiful actress whom he had introduced to the stage. The couple had a son, Mirvan.
Father:
Lewis Hallam, Sr.
Lewis Hallam, Sr. was an English-born actor and theatre director in the colonial United States.
Wife:
Eliza Hallam (Tuke)
Eliza Hallam (Tuke) was an American stage actress.
