John Courtney (playwright)

John Courtney (1804–1865) was a Victorian playwright, dramatic actor, and comedian. Courtney was the stage name of John Fuller.[1][2] He wrote over 60 plays,[1] including the popular dramas Time Tries All first performed in 1848, which attained great success around the UK and also in the US from the 1850s to at least the 1880s, and Eustice Baudin (1854), which attained even greater success in the USA through to at least the 1890s. He wrote the first theatrical adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre (1848) which was rediscovered in 2009.[3] One of his early acting performances was in 1829 as Colonel Freelove in The Day after the Wedding or A Wife's First Lesson adapted by Maria Theresa Kemble from the original French comedy.

John Courtney
John Courtney as Thames Darrell 1840
Born
John Fuller

29 August 1804[1]
St James's, Westminster, London, England
Died17 February 1865(1865-02-17) (aged 60)[1]
Camberwell, London, England
OccupationPlaywright, actor, comedian
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Ann Norman
ChildrenJohn Fuller Courtney
Albert Fuller Courtney
Rose Helena Courtney
Louise Marian Courtney
Emily Courtney
Clara Courtney
Alice Courtney

Life and work

John Courtney was born at St James’s, Westminster on 29 August 1804 as John Fuller but when he became an actor he wished to be known as John Courtney and this was the name he used throughout his life. His death certificate records him as "John Fuller otherwise Courtney" and his descendants have all been Courtneys.[4] He worked as an actor on the London stage between 1829 and 1862. In 1848 Courtney wrote a stage adaptation of Jane Eyre titled Jane Eyre or The Secrets of Thornfield Manor, which was shown at the Victoria Theatre. In 1850 he was employed as a "stock author" for £2 per week by Mr Shepherd of the Surrey Theatre. In 1852 he received expenses for a visit to Paris for the sole purpose of spotting suitable plays for adaptation, for example Old Joe and Young Joe. According to The Era, the dramatic and music hall newspaper of the time:

he was originally intended for a commercial life, but his love for the Drama speedily changed the directions of his pursuits. For some years he was a light comedian at the Birmingham and other country Theatres, and in 1840 he was engaged by Mr Rouse at the Grecian Saloon. Though he never entirely gave up the Stage as a profession, having been a member of the Haymarket company up to the time of his decease, it will as an industrious playwright for the minor Theatres that his name will be most familiar to the public. For the Surrey and Victoria Theatres he wrote a considerable number of pieces, and his very interesting and original drama of Time Tries All, produced at the Olympic Theatre in 1849, remains one of the most popular products of his industrious pen.

He died at Camberwell and is buried at Camberwell Old Cemetery, London.[5]

Personal life

Courtney married Elizabeth Ann Norman (b. 1821), with whom he had several children: John Fuller Courtney (b. 1847), Albert Fuller Courtney (1851-1907), Rose Helena Courtney (b. 1857), Louise Marian Courtney (b. 1859), Emily Courtney (b. 1860), Clara Courtney (b. 1862), and Alice Courtney (b. 1863).

Stage performances[6]

John Courtney appeared on stage as Colonel Freelove in 1829 in the comedy The Day after the Wedding, or A Wife's First Lesson by Maria Theresa Kemble. He played Thames Darrell (1840) in Jack Sheppard a play by John Buckstone based on the novel of the same name by William Harrison Ainsworth first performed at the Adelphi Theatre in 1839. It was a historical romance and a Newgate novel based on the real life of the 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard. He played Julio in the William Macready production of Othello at the Italian Opera House, Paris in December 1844. He played Sir Agrovaine in The Three Perils of Man by James Hogg at the Surrey Theatre in 1852. He played Gaylove in The Hunchback by James Sheridan Knowles at Windsor Castle attended by Queen Victoria and Lord Palmerston, Prime Minister on 11 January 1860.[7] He also played this part at the performances at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket 13–15 February 1860. He played Captain Peppercoat in The Flying Dutchman and appeared in performances of Macbeth and the Corsicans.

Plays written by John Courtney[8]
TypeTitleWhere first performedNotes
DramaThe Spirit of the FountainPrincess's Theatre 1843
FarceBounce or The Ojibbeway Indians or American IndiansPrincess's Theatre Feb 1844
FarceAged FortyPrincess's Theatre Feb 1844
FarceTaken by SurprisePrincess's Theatre June 1844
DramaVanityThe Grecian Theatre 1844
DramaThe Sisters of Chatillon or A Father's RetributionSurrey Theatre Nov 1844
DramaThe Bride's Journey or The Escapes of Adelaide of DresdenRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Apr 1846
DramaThe Day Dream or The Heart's OrdealCity of London Theatre, Bishopsgate Aug 1846
DramaClarissa HarlowePrincess's Theatre Sept 1846
DramaThe Marchioness of BrinvilliersRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) 1846
DramaThe Cook of Kennington or No Followers AllowedRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) 1846
DramaThe Gunsmith of Orleans or The Dead Woman's SecretRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Jan 1847
DramaThe Ship Boy or The White Slave of GuadaloupeRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) 1847
DramaThe Lighterman of Bankside or The Orphan of BermondseyRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Jan 1848
DramaJane Eyre or The Secrets of Thornfield Manor[9]Royal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Jan 1848
DramaJack FrockCity of London Theatre, Bishopsgate Feb 1848
DramaRose Clinton or The Victim of Circumstantial EvidenceBritannia Theatre, Hoxton Apr 1848
DramaThe Broken Home or The Artisan's DaughterBritannia Theatre, Hoxton 1848
DramaThe Road to TransportationBritannia Theatre, Hoxton 1848
DramaThe Blacksmith of GhentRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Jun 1848
DramaLeah and Nathan or Leah, the Jewess of Constantina or The Arab's SacrificeCity of London Theatre, Bishopsgate Jun 1848
DramaMarion Hazelton or The Child of the WrongedRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) June 1848
DramaTime Tries AllOlympic Theatre Sep 1848
DramaFrank Wildeye or The Spendthrift HusbandRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) 1848
DramaThe Green Hills of SurreyRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Jan 1849
DramaThe Heir of Ashmore or Time's StoryRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Feb 1849
DramaThe Maid of Velitri or The Last Deed of GarboniRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Apr 1849
DramaThe Outcast of Lausanne or Claudine of Switzerland, The Wanderer of the JuraRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) May 1849
Pictorial DramaThe Soldier's Progress or The Horrors of WarRoyal Victoria Theatre (The Old Vic) Nov 1849
DramaHearts at Fault or The Heart TestSurrey Theatre Mar 1850
FarceThe Two PoltsSurrey Theatre Nov 1850
DramaBelphegor the ItinerantSurrey Theatre Jan 1851
DramaThe World's Games or High and LowSurrey Theatre May 1851
DramaLiving in Glass HousesSurrey Theatre May 1851
DramaRoland the RiderSurrey Theatre Jun 1851
DramaThe Magic of LifeSurrey Theatre Jun 1851
DramaThe Chateau of ValenzaOlympic Theatre Jul 1851
FarceThe Two BloomersSurrey Theatre Oct 1851
OperettaThe Charmed HarpSurrey Theatre Aug 1852
FarceGoing to CremorneSurrey Theatre Oct 1852
DramaLife Seasons or Hearts and HomesSurrey Theatre Oct 1852
DramaOff to the DiggingsSurrey Theatre Oct 1852
DramaUncle Tom's CabinSurrey Theatre Nov 1852
DramaThe Marriage Day or The Life ChaseSurrey Theatre Nov 1852
DramaThe Gamblers WifeSurrey Theatre Oct 1853
DramaOld Joe and Young Joe or The Martini FamilySurrey Theatre Oct 1853
PantomimeThe Vale of Gem or Harlequin; Sinbad the Sailor or The Fairy of the Coral GrotRoyal Adelphi Theatre, Liverpool Dec 1853
DramaEustace or Eustace BaudinSurrey Theatre Jan 1854
DramaThe Sultan and the CzarSurrey Theatre Apr 1854
DramaDeeds, not Words or The Drooping Flower!Surrey Theatre Jan 1855
ComedyTricks and TrialsQueen's Theatre, Manchester Mar 1856
ComedyDouble Faced PeopleTheatre Royal, Haymarket Feb 1857
Comedy DramaA Wicked WifeTheatre Royal, Haymarket Feb 1857
DramaThe One Word or Pride and HonourSurrey Theatre Jan 1858
DramaThe Three Thieves of BucklesburyCity of London Theatre, Bishopsgate Oct 1859
DramaThe Students or SorrySurrey Theatre Feb 1861
DramaBattle with the WorldCity of London Theatre, Bishopsgate Nov 1861
DramaThe Roman NoseCity of London Theatre, Bishopsgate Jul 1863

Notes[6]

Bounce or The Ojibbeway Indians or The American Indians co-written by J M Maddox
Aged Forty Thomas Hailes Lacy publisher
Taken by Surprise also performed at the Grecian Theatre and co-written by J M Maddox
Clarissa Harlowe also performed at the City of London Theatre Oct 1846 and the Surrey Theatre 1859. Adapted from the French play by Samuel Richardson. Thomas Hailes Lacy published and co-adapted
The Cook of Kennington or No Followers Allowed co-written by D W Osbalidston
The Gunsmith of Orleans or The Dead Women's Secret book written by Eliza Sheridan published in 1847
Jane Eyre or The Secrets of Thornfield Manor was the first theatrical production (performed in 1848) of Charlotte Brontë's novel. It has been adapted and was performed at The Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills in Jun 2009
Rose Clinton or The Victim of Circumstantial Evidence also performed at The Old Vic 1849, City of London Theatre 1863. co-written by Arthur Williams
The Broken Home or The Artisan's Daughter also performed at the Soho Theatre 1859, City of London Theatre 1863 and co-written by Arthur Williams
The Road to Transportation co-written by Arthur Williams
Leah and Nathan or Leah, the Jewess of Constantina or The Arab's Sacrifice also performed at City of London Theatre Aug 1863. As The Jewess or The Council of Constance by Thomas Hailes Lacy performed at the Old Vic and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1835
Time Tries All 1850s: Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Glasgow, Sadlers Wells Theatre, George St. Theatre, Dublin, many UK Provincial Theatres and locations in the USA. 1860s: Wolverhampton, St. James’s Theatre, St George’s Hall, Adelphi Theatre, London, The Olympic Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Royal Victoria (Old Vic), many Provincial locations. 1870s: Olympia Dramatic Club, Royal Albert Hall, Kings Cross Theatre, St George’s Hall, Vincent Dramatic Company, and in California and other US states.1880s: Royal Artillery Theatre, other locations.Thomas Hailes Lacy publisher, Miss Emma Barrett starred Aug 1861, Amy Sedgwick played Laura Leeson and chose the part for her return to the Theatre Mar 1862, Sidney Frances Bateman starred Dec 1865
Frank Wildeye or The Spendthrift Husband co-written by D W Osbaldiston
The Green Hills of Surrey co-written by D W Osbaldiston. The Green Hills of Surrey is also a poem written by William Cox Bennett
The Heir of Ashmore or Time's Story co-written by D W Osbaldiston
The Soldier's Progress or The Horrors of War also performed in Provincial Theatres Jan 1850, Mar 1850, Jun 1850. May 1851, Jan 1852, Feb 1853, Mar 1853, Jan 1854, Oct 1854, Jan 1855, Jun 1856. Manchester Jul 1850 (ten nights) and Aug 1852, Penzance Mar 1851, Dublin Apr 1853, St George’s Hall Dec 1855. Thomas Hailes Lacy publisher
The Two Polts also performed in Provincial Theatres Jun 1856 and Oct 1859. Thomas Hailes Lacy publisher
Belphegor the Itinerant Thomas Hailes Lacy publisher
The Charmed Harp music by Wilhelm Meyer Lutz
Life's Seasons or Hearts and Homes co-written by William Creswick
Off to the Diggings co-written by William Creswick and R Shepherd
Uncle Tom's Cabin co-written by William Creswick and William Bodham Donne
The Marriage Day or The Life Chase co-written by R Shepherd
Old Joe and Young Joe or The Martini Family also performed at the Surrey Theatre Dec 1860. Adapted from the French play The Martini Family or O.J and Y.J
Eustache or Eustache Baudin also performed at the Olympic Theatre, New York City, USA Apr 1862; Richmond Theatre, Virginia, USA Mar, May and Nov 1863; Salt Lake City, USA Oct 1863 (adaption); Brooklyn Academy of Music, NY USA Nov 1863; Christchurch, New Zealand Mar 1866; Opening Night of the new Opera House in Springfield, Illinois USA Dec 1866; various Theatres the US in 1867; Theatre Royal, Nottingham Jan 1869; Theatre Royal, Birmingham Jan 1869; Chicago, Illinois USA May 1869; Three UK performances in 1870 and one in 1879; Galveston Theatre, Texas, USA Apr 1871;Pence Opera House, Minneapolis USA Mar 1888; UK Performances in 1885 and 1889; Grand Museum, Boston USA Jun 1893. T G Bishop credited in the published play as co-writer. Opening play of the newly named Olympic Theatre, New York, owned by George L Fox who also played the character "Marcel". Performance in Richmond performed under the title "Eustache the Condemned".Performance in Boston under the title "The Man of Destiny" performed by H Percy Meldon and Ethel Tucker
Deeds, not Words or The Drooping Flower co-written by Arthur Williams
Tricks and Trials John Courtney impersonated three characters
Double Faced People also performed at Theatre Royal, Haymarket Feb 1857, Theatre Royal, Brighton Dec 1857. Performance 26 Feb 1857 attended by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Princess Royal. The Queen wrote in her diary" ... a pretty little drama..."[10] The programme also included a performance of A Wicked Wife. Thomas Hailes Lacy published
A Wicked Wife also performed at Theatre Royal, Haymarket Feb 1857. Adapted from the French play Une Femme qui deteste son Marie. Thomas Hailes Lacy published and co-adapted
The Students or Sorry adapted from the French play "The Students of D’Orilly".William Creswick played Roger D’Orilly

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References
  1. Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898 (2007) Patsy Stoneman, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p20 ISBN 9780754603481
  2. The Letters of Charlotte Brontë: 1848-1851 (1995) Margaret Smith, Oxford University Press, p95 ISBN 9780198185987
  3. The Oxford Companion to the Brontës (2011) Christine Alexander and Margaret Smith, Oxford University Press, "Theatre adaptations and biographies". Online edition.
  4. Census Returns, Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Family records
  5. Camberwell Old Cemetery, London's Forgotten Valhalla by Ron Woollacott p 35
  6. British Library Historical Collection. The Era
  7. The Royal Archives, Windsor Castle, British Library Historical Collection. The Era. Queen Victoria’s Journals
  8. British Library Historical Collection. A History of English Drama 1660-1900: Volume IV Late 19th Century Drama 1800-1850 by Allardyce Nicoll p283-4 Volume V 1860 -1900 p326. V & A Theatre Archives
  9. Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898: An Illustrated Edition of Eight Plays with Contextual Notes by Patsy Stoneman
  10. Queen Victoria’s Journals http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/home.do. The Royal Archives, Windsor Castle
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