William Kenneth appears to be a London theatrical agent for the provincial circuit. The letters usually concern the engagement of performers by provincial managers or, as in the case of Edwin Simpson, requests for plays and musical pieces to be sent to New York. The 8 letters are in chronological order.
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Barnard, S. W., Brighton To Mr. Kenneth, London, October 3 [n.y.]
3 p., a.l.s. Discussing performers including the young Kean
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Brunton, R., Swansea To Kenneth London, [n.d.]
1 p. a.l.s. About getting players for Plymouth and Bristol
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Cairnes, Catherine M. To My Dear Kenneth London, June 3, 1825
3 p., a.l.s. Authorizing a Miss Phillips to accept offer from Mr. MacReady. [Actor/manager Charles William MacReady, 1793-1873]
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Waldsor, R., Glasgow To Mr. Kenneth London, April 11, 1831
3 p., a.l.s. Regarding engagements
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Simpson, E[dmund Shaw, 1784-July 31, 1848] New York To Mr. Kenneth Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, May 31, 1832
2 a. l. s. Asking that music and titles be sent. Simpson was manager of the Park Theater
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Stanley, G. F., Theatre Worthing To Mr. Kenneth London, October 1, 1833
2 p., a.l.s. On reverse, contract for theaters in New Orleans.
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Mangeon, Augusta, Warwick To Kenneth London, October 2, 1833
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Simpson, E[dmund Shaw]1784-July 31, 1848, New York To unknown [n.p.], November 7, 1835
1 p., a. fragment s. Discussing business and mentions Stephen Price who with Simpson managed the Park Theater. See also letter dated May 31, 1832
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1861), dramatist, theater manager and statesman, is best known for his 1777 play.
The actor and theater manager James Winston (1773?-1843) became the proprietor of the Richmond (Surrey) Theatre in 1799 under the name of James Neville. In 1805, as James Winston, he purchased an interest in the Haymarket Theatre in London. From 1819 to 1927 he was acting manager of the Drury Lane Theater on behalf of the actor/manager and lessee, Robert William Elliston.
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Baker, Robert, town functionary To James Neville [Winston], Proprietor of Richmond Theatre, Surrey [n.p.], Oct. 1, 1799
1 p., a.l.s. Refusing permission to perform masquerade
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Reeve, Thomas, Jr., nephew of composer W. W. Reeve, (1715-1815) To Winston, Haymarket London, March 31, 1807
1 p., a.l.s. Asking to be engaged
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Faucit, I., Actor, Theatre Royal, Norwich To James Winston, Haymarket Theatre London, January 23, 1813
2 p., a.l.s. Faucit and wife will remain with Norwich Company.
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Bellamy, B. P., Theatre Royal, Norwich To Winston, Haymarket Theatre Dean Street, Soho, London, April 28, 1813
1 p., Regarding his engagement at the Haymarket for the 1814 season
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Penley, W., Windsor Envelope To Winston with letter To Mr. Dunn Drury Lane, London, July 8, 1826
1 p., a.l.s. Concerning a promissory Note from Mr. Elliston. Actor/manager Robert William Elliston (1774-1831) was the lessee and Dunn the treasurer of the Theater Royal, Drury Lane
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Barnett, Edward To unknown [n.p.], June 6 [n.y.]
1 p., a.l.s. Concerning casting
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Bass, Charles, Actor-Manager, Perth, Scotland To unknown n. p., October 7, 1829
2 p., a.l.s. Requesting players
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Bucke, Charles (1781-1846), Dramatist and author, Suffolk To Mr. Wood, Bookseller London, May 23, 1802
1 p., a.l.s. Proposing the publication of a writer's Notebook
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Cushman, Charlotte, American actress To unknown [n.p.], [n.d.]
1 p., a.l.s. End of letter asking for a residence and to be met at the train. Cushman was acting in London 1845-1849
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Cuyler, Mrs. [Margaret], Actress To Mr. Peake [n.p.], September 19 [n.y.]
1 p., a.n.s. Requesting back pay. Peake was the treasurer for Drury Lane appointed by Richard Sheridan.
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Dobbs, J., Actor, Brighton Theatre To Mr. Abbott Theatre Royal, Dublin, November 21, 1824
2 p. a.l.s. Requesting employment
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Elizabeth, Margravine of Brandenburg-Anspach To unknown [n.p.], March 26, 1794
1 p., a.l.s. Receipt of a loan. The Margravine put on private theatrical events
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Emmet, Robert, New York To Charles MacReady (1793-1873), actor/manager London, October 6, 1841
3 p., a.l.s. Letter of introduction
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Fairbrother, Robert, Coburg Theatre To Peter Moore London, September 21, 1818
1 p., a.l.s. Theater job recommendation for Peter May
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Fawcett, Anne To Mr. Brandon Covent Garden Theatre, Nov 27, 1813
1 p., a.n.s. Pay Mr. Prickett by order of Mr. Harris [Thomas Harris, Manager]
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Foote, Sam G., Brighton To unknown [n.p.], June 2 [n.y.]
2 p., a.l.s. Invitation to visit Brighton
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Grove, D. To J. P. Harley, Actor, St. James Theatre London, [c.1835?]
1 p., a.l.s. Plans to see play at St. James. Harley was in the St. James Theatre Company for a short time c. 1835
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Hippolyte, N., Dublin To unknown n. p., August 2, 1845
2 p., a.l.s. Concerning terms of a lease
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Holcroft, Fanny To J. Cooper (1810-1870) London, [n.d.] [after 1820]
2 p., a.l.s. Complimenting his performance of Henry VIII at the Drury Lane. Cooper's first performance at Drury Lane took place November 1, 1820
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Inchbald, Elizabeth (1753-1891), playwright To Mrs. Pope. [Elizabeth (1744?-1797)] [n.p.], [n.d.] [c. 1791]
3 p., a.l.s. Is altering play in favor of the part Mrs. Pope plays. Possibly referring to Lady Eleanor Irwin, a part Mrs. Pope originated in the playEveryone Has His Fault.
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Killigrew, William To unknown [n.p.], [n.d.]
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Knight, Thomas (d. 1820), actor and playwright, Liverpool To unknown [n.p.], July 28, 1814
1 p., a.l.s. Unable to hire. Knight at the time was leasing the Liverpool Theatre
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Love, E. To Mr. Cooke [n.p.], [n.d.]
1 p., a.l.s. Asks for appointment to discuss a part
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MacDonald, Andrew (1755?-1790), Playwright To John Murray, bookseller London, May 18, 1788
1 p., a.n.s. Receipt for Vimonda
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Northcote, James To Mr. Cooke London, February 2, 1825
1 p., a.l.s. Wants to buy print of his playing in Shakespeare's King John
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Raymond, George To unknown London, March 24, 1830
2 p., a.l.s. Apology for the behavior of Miss Cubitt. Raymond is possibly the biographer of the actor/manager Robert William Elliston (1774-1831)
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Stephens, George (1800-1851), Dramatist, Hertfordshire To J. Webster [London], October 21, 1840
3 p., a.l.s. Asking Webster to advise his brother to produce Stephens' playThe Patriotnext season at the Haymarket. Quotes from a letter from the actor-manager William Charles MacReady. The brother in question may be Benjamin N. Webster (1797-1882) who was managing the Haymarket at the time when another brother, Frederick Webster, was stage manager.
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Tilbury, W. H. To T. F. Robson (1822?-1864), Actor, Haymarket London, December 13, 1853
3 p., a.l.s. Complimenting his performances. Robson played Desmarets inPlot and Passionby Tom Taylor and Jem Bags inWandering Minstrelby Henry Mayhew, both in 1853
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Webster, Benjamin N. (1797-1882), actor-manager, dramatist To Mr. Cooke, London, November 18, 1833
2 p., a.l.s. Will accomodate him at any time
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Welch, J., Buxton To Mr. Westmore London, July 15, 1801
2 p., a.l.s. Terms for engagement
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Yarnold, George, Theatre Royal, Worthing To unknown [London], September 26, 1824
1 p., a.l.s. Has Elliston signed articles for Yarnold? Elliston is actor-manager Robert William Elliston (1774-1831).