Drury Lane Theatrical Fund
Encyclopedia
The Drury Lane Theatrical Fund is a benevolent fund for established in 1766 by members of the Theatre Royal
in London, England, "for the relief and support of such performers and other persons belonging to the said theater, as, through age, infirmity, or accident, should be obliged to retire from the Stage".
The fund was established by John Johnstone, David Garrick
and others, and received benefactions, such as from Sarah Harlowe
, subscriptions from performers, and the proceeds of benefit plays. By 1776, it had a capital base of £3,400, and owned a house situated in Drury Lane, let at a yearly rent of £50. The fund was established as a charity by the Drury Lane Theatre Act 1776.
The fund continues into the 21st century; Graham Bickley
is a director; previous officeholders include John Pritt Harley
and Edmund Kean
.
Amongst its pensioners have been:
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
in London, England, "for the relief and support of such performers and other persons belonging to the said theater, as, through age, infirmity, or accident, should be obliged to retire from the Stage".
The fund was established by John Johnstone, David Garrick
David Garrick
David Garrick was an English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of theatrical practice throughout the 18th century and was a pupil and friend of Dr Samuel Johnson...
and others, and received benefactions, such as from Sarah Harlowe
Sarah Harlowe
Sarah Harlowe was a popular actress of the London stage around the turn of the 19th century.-Biography:Harlowe was born in London in 1765. Under the name of Mrs...
, subscriptions from performers, and the proceeds of benefit plays. By 1776, it had a capital base of £3,400, and owned a house situated in Drury Lane, let at a yearly rent of £50. The fund was established as a charity by the Drury Lane Theatre Act 1776.
The fund continues into the 21st century; Graham Bickley
Graham Bickley
Graham John Bickley is an English actor. He is probably best known for playing Joey Boswell in Bread from 1989, until 1991 taking over from Peter Howitt, who played him from 1986, until 1989.Career=...
is a director; previous officeholders include John Pritt Harley
John Pritt Harley
John Pritt Harley was an English actor known for his comic acting and singing.-Early years:Harley was the son of John Harley, a draper and silk mercer, and his wife Elizabeth. He was baptised in the parish church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, on 5 March 1786. At the age of fifteen, he was...
and Edmund Kean
Edmund Kean
Edmund Kean was an English actor, regarded in his time as the greatest ever.-Early life:Kean was born in London. His father was probably Edmund Kean, an architect’s clerk, and his mother was an actress, Anne Carey, daughter of the 18th century composer and playwright Henry Carey...
.
Amongst its pensioners have been:
- Joseph GrimaldiJoseph GrimaldiJoseph Grimaldi , was an English actor and comedian who is perhaps best known for his invention of the modern day whiteface clown. He chiefly appeared at Drury Lane in pantomime where his greatest success was appearing in Harlequin and Mother Goose; or the Golden Egg and followed with a successful...
- Sarah HarloweSarah HarloweSarah Harlowe was a popular actress of the London stage around the turn of the 19th century.-Biography:Harlowe was born in London in 1765. Under the name of Mrs...