Background
He was born in London, and appeared as a youthful amateur at Drury Lane as James in The Miller's Maid.
William Pleater Davidge
April 17, 1814 (age 74)
He appeared at Nottingham in 1836, and acted in London, on 26 September of that year, in the Haunted Tower. Afterward, he acted in various English cities, especially in Manchester. His first appearance in America was in August, 1850, as Sir Peter Teazle at the old Broadway Theatre, New York. Later he supported many well-known actors in the metropolis and elsewhere, among them Edwin Forrest, Gustavus V. Brooke, Julia Dean, Lola Montez, and Fanny Davenport. After leaving the old Broadway Theatre in 1855, he made a tour through the country. He afterward took part in the Shakespearean revivals at Winter Garden Theatre, and, in August 1867, appeared as Eccles, in Caste, at the new Broadway Theatre near Broome Street. He was at Daly's Fifth Avenue Theatre from 1869 until 1877, then traveled with Miss Fanny Davenport's company, and in 1879 was the original Dick Deadeye, in HMS Pinafore, at the Standard Theatre. Davidge played over one thousand parts during his career. In Shakespeare's comedies he was successful as Caliban, Touchstone, Dogberry, Nick Bottom, and Old Gobbo. He died at Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 7, 1888. He made his first appearance in the French Theatre, New York, in the burlesque of The Lady of the Lions. During his career he played with William H. Crane, Kate Claxton, and later for several seasons with Roland Reed. He died in Chicago.
William Pleater Davidge Edit Profile
William Pleater Davidge, British actor. member American Dramatic Fund Association Author: (play) The Family Party: (book) The Drama Defended</td><tr><td class="label_burgverd11px"><b>Death</b></td></tr><tr><td> Died Cheyenne, Wyo.
Career
He appeared at Nottingham in 1836, and acted in London, on 26 September of that year, in the Haunted Tower. Afterward, he acted in various English cities, especially in Manchester. His first appearance in America was in August, 1850, as Sir Peter Teazle at the old Broadway Theatre, New York.
Later he supported many well-known actors in the metropolis and elsewhere, among them Edwin Forrest, Gustavus V. Brooke, Julia Dean, Lola Montez, and Fanny Davenport. After leaving the old Broadway Theatre in 1855, he made a tour through the country. He afterward took part in the Shakespearean revivals at Winter Garden Theatre, and, in August 1867, appeared as Eccles, in Caste, at the new Broadway Theatre near Broome Street.
He was at Daly's Fifth Avenue Theatre from 1869 until 1877, then traveled with Miss Fanny Davenport's company, and in 1879 was the original Dick Deadeye, in HMS Pinafore, at the Standard Theatre. Davidge played over one thousand parts during his career. In Shakespeare's comedies he was successful as Caliban, Touchstone, Dogberry, Nick Bottom, and Old Gobbo.
He died at Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 7, 1888. He made his first appearance in the French Theatre, New York, in the burlesque of The Lady of the Lions. During his career he played with William H. Crane, Kate Claxton, and later for several seasons with Roland Reed.
He died in Chicago.
Membership
He was a member of F. B. Conway's “star combination,” and in 1863 was one of Mrs. John Wood's company at the Olympic Theatre, where he remained two seasons. In 1885, he became a member of the Madison Square Theatre company.
