James Kenney
Encyclopedia
James Kenney was an English
dramatist, the son of James Kenney, one of the founders of Boodles' Club
in London
.
His first play, a farce
called Raising the Wind (1803), was a success owing to the popularity of the character of "Jeremy Diddler". Kenney produced more than forty drama
s and opera
s between 1803 and 1845, and many of his pieces, in which Mrs Siddons
, Madame Vestris, Foote
, Lewis
, Liston
and other leading players appeared from time to time, enjoyed a considerable vogue.
His most popular play was Sweethearts and Wives, produced at the Haymarket Theatre
in 1823, and several times afterwards revived; and among the most successful of his other works were: False Alarms (1807), a comic opera with music by Braham
; Love, Law and Physic (1812); Spring and Autumn (1827); The Illustrious Stranger, or Married and Buried (1827); Masaniello (1829); The Sicilian Vespers, a tragedy (1840). Kenney, who numbered Charles Lamb and Samuel Rogers
among his friends, died in London in 1849. He married the widow of the dramatist Thomas Holcroft
, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.
His second son, Charles Lamb Kenney
(1823-25 August 1881), made a name as a journalist
, dramatist and miscellaneous writer. Commencing life as a clerk in the General Post Office in London he joined the staff of The Times, to which paper he contributed dramatic criticism. In 1856, having been called to the bar
, he became secretary to Ferdinand de Lesseps
, and in 1857 he published The Gates of the East in support of the projected construction of the Suez Canal
. Kenney wrote the words for a number of light operas, and was the author of several popular songs, he best known of which were Soft and Low (1865) and The Vagabond (1871). He also published a Memoir of M. W. Balfe
(1875), and translated the Correspondence of Balzac. He included Thackeray
and Dickens among his friends in iterary coterie in which he enjoyed the reputation of a wit and an accomplished writer of vers de societe. He died in London in 1881.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
dramatist, the son of James Kenney, one of the founders of Boodles' Club
Boodle's
Boodle's is a London gentlemen's club, founded in 1762, at 49-51 Pall Mall, London by Lord Shelburne the future Marquess of Lansdowne and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the club came to be known after the name of its head waiter Edward Boodle....
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
His first play, a farce
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
called Raising the Wind (1803), was a success owing to the popularity of the character of "Jeremy Diddler". Kenney produced more than forty drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
s and opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s between 1803 and 1845, and many of his pieces, in which Mrs Siddons
Sarah Siddons
Sarah Siddons was a Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century. She was the elder sister of John Philip Kemble, Charles Kemble, Stephen Kemble, Ann Hatton and Elizabeth Whitlock, and the aunt of Fanny Kemble. She was most famous for her portrayal of the Shakespearean character,...
, Madame Vestris, Foote
Samuel Foote
Samuel Foote was a British dramatist, actor and theatre manager from Cornwall.-Early life:Born into a well-to-do family, Foote was baptized in Truro, Cornwall on 27 January 1720. His father, John Foote, held several public positions, including mayor of Truro, Member of Parliament representing...
, Lewis
Matthew Gregory Lewis
Matthew Gregory Lewis was an English novelist and dramatist, often referred to as "Monk" Lewis, because of the success of his classic Gothic novel, The Monk.-Family:...
, Liston
John Liston
John Liston , English comedian, was born in London.He made his public debut on the stage at Weymouth as Lord Duberley in The Heir-at-law...
and other leading players appeared from time to time, enjoyed a considerable vogue.
His most popular play was Sweethearts and Wives, produced at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
in 1823, and several times afterwards revived; and among the most successful of his other works were: False Alarms (1807), a comic opera with music by Braham
John Braham
John Braham was a tenor opera singer born in London, England. His long career led him to become one of Europe's leading opera stars. He also wrote a number of songs, of minor importance, although The Death of Nelson is still remembered...
; Love, Law and Physic (1812); Spring and Autumn (1827); The Illustrious Stranger, or Married and Buried (1827); Masaniello (1829); The Sicilian Vespers, a tragedy (1840). Kenney, who numbered Charles Lamb and Samuel Rogers
Samuel Rogers
Samuel Rogers was an English poet, during his lifetime one of the most celebrated, although his fame has long since been eclipsed by his Romantic colleagues and friends Wordsworth, Coleridge and Byron...
among his friends, died in London in 1849. He married the widow of the dramatist Thomas Holcroft
Thomas Holcroft
Thomas Holcroft was an English dramatist and miscellaneous writer.-Early life:He was born in Orange Court, Leicester Fields, London. His father had a shoemaker's shop, and kept riding horses for hire; but having fallen into difficulties was reduced to the status of hawking peddler...
, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.
His second son, Charles Lamb Kenney
Charles Lamb Kenney
Charles Lamb Kenney was a journalist, dramatist and miscellaneous writer.He was the second son of the dramatist James Kenney....
(1823-25 August 1881), made a name as a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, dramatist and miscellaneous writer. Commencing life as a clerk in the General Post Office in London he joined the staff of The Times, to which paper he contributed dramatic criticism. In 1856, having been called to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
, he became secretary to Ferdinand de Lesseps
Ferdinand de Lesseps
Ferdinand Marie, Vicomte de Lesseps, GCSI was the French developer of the Suez Canal, which joined the Mediterranean and Red Seas in 1869, and substantially reduced sailing distances and times between the West and the East.He attempted to repeat this success with an effort to build a sea-level...
, and in 1857 he published The Gates of the East in support of the projected construction of the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
. Kenney wrote the words for a number of light operas, and was the author of several popular songs, he best known of which were Soft and Low (1865) and The Vagabond (1871). He also published a Memoir of M. W. Balfe
Michael William Balfe
Michael William Balfe was an Irish composer, best-remembered for his opera The Bohemian Girl.After a short career as a violinist, Balfe pursued an operatic singing career, while he began to compose. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he composed 38 operas, almost 250 songs and other works...
(1875), and translated the Correspondence of Balzac. He included Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist of the 19th century. He was famous for his satirical works, particularly Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society.-Biography:...
and Dickens among his friends in iterary coterie in which he enjoyed the reputation of a wit and an accomplished writer of vers de societe. He died in London in 1881.