William Pinkethman

William Pinkethman(also Penkethman, Pinkeman, Pinkerman, etc.; nicknamed Pinkey) (c.1660–1725) was an English comic actor, a low comedian with a droll style, and theatre manager. He was considered an imitator of Anthony Leigh.

Starting in the 1690s Penkethman performed with the United Company at Drury Lane. He largely played small roles, then became known for his delivery of prologues and epilogues in plays. He was known for performing riding a donkey. He later opened a theatre at Richmond.

Rising actor

Pinkethman overcame a weakness for overacting and playing to the crowd to become a steady performer. He is first heard of at the Theatre Royal, in 1692, in Thomas Shadwell's '' The Volunteers'', in which he played Stitchum the tailor, an original part of six lines. After the departure in 1695 of Thomas Betterton and his associates, Pinkethman was promoted to a better line of parts. In 1702 he was the original Old Mirabel in George Farquhar's ''The Inconstant''. He also recited what was known as "Pinkethman's Epilogue". He was known for his ad libs. It was at this period that Charles Gildon, in his ''Comparison between Two Stages'', spoke of him as "a fellow that overdoes everything, and spoils many a part with his own stuff."

In 1703 Pinkethman created Squib in Thomas Baker's ''Tunbridge Walks'', Maggothead (mayor of Coventry) in Thomas D'Urfey's ''Old Mode and the New'', and Whimsey in Richard Estcourt's ''Fair Example''. At the booth in Bartholomew Fair, which he held with William Bullock and Thomas Simpson, he played on 24 August 1703 Toby in ''Jephtha's Rash Vow'', a droll. After the merger of the Haymarket and Drury Lane companies in 1708, fewer original characters came to Pinkethman, who, however, was assigned important parts in standard plays. On 4 April 1707, for his benefit, he spoke with Jubilee Dicky ( Henry Norris) a new epilogue. The two actors represented the figures of Somebody and Nobody. At the Haymarket Theatre he created, on 12 December 1709, Clinch in Susannah Centlivre's ''Man's Bewitched'', and on 1 May 1710 Faschinetti in Charles Johnson's ''Love in a Chest.''

Branching out

From 1698 Pinkethman also operated as a promoter and impresario of entertainments outside the major theatres. There was scope for these activities when the summer season closed the theatres, and he combined fairground booths, theatre and spectacle for the rest of his life, succeeding financially.

On 15 June 1710 Pinkethman opened a theatre in Greenwich, where he played comedy and tragedy. It lasted until September 1711. On 9 September 1717 he acted Old Merriman in a droll called ''Twice Married and a Maid still'', given at his booth taken with George Pack, at Southwark Fair.Among characters, not original, which were assigned him in the latter half of his career were Dr. Caius, Sir William Belfond in Thomas Shadwell's ''The Squire of Alsatia'', Day in ''The Committee'' ( Robert Howard), Nonsense in Richard Brome's ''Northern Lass'', Hearty in Brome's ''A Jovial Crew'', Crack in '' Sir Courtly Nice'' (John Crowne), Antonio in ''The Chances'' (Beaumont and Fletcher), Daniel in ''Oroonoko'',’ Old Brag in ''Love for Money'' (Thomas D'Urfey), Antonio in '' Venice Preserved'', Gentleman Usher in ''King Lear'', Abel Drugger, Costar Pearmain, Snap in ''Love's Last Shift'' (Colley Cibber), Scrub, Old Bellair in ''Man of the Mode'' (George Etherege), Calianax in the ''Maid's Tragedy'' (Beaumont and Fletcher), Ruffian and Apothecary in ''Caius Marius'' (Otway), Thomas Appletree in ''The Recruiting Officer'', and Jerry Blackacre in ''The Plain Dealer'' (William Wycherley). As Lacy in ''The Relapse'' (Vanburgh) he succeeded Thomas Doggett, and eclipsed him in the part. He made a success as Geta in ''The Prophetess'' (Beaumont and Fletcher), and Crack in ''Sir Courtly Nice''.

Last years

On 19 February 1718 Pinkethman was, at Drury Lane, the first Ringwood in John Breval's '' The Play is the Plot''. On 14 February 1721 he was the original Sir Gilbert Wrangle in Cibber's ''The Refusal''. This appears to have been practically his last original part. On 9 January 1723 he was Pyramus in the burlesque scene from ''Midsummer Night's Dream'' fitted into '' Love in a Forest'', an alteration of '' As you like it''. On 23 May 1724 he appeared in ''Epsom Wells'' (Thomas Shadwell), for his benefit. At an uncertain date he played Judge Tutchin in Lodowick Barry's ''Ram Alley, or Merry Tricks''.

Family

Pinkethman, described as a bachelor of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, married, on 22 November 1714, at Bow Church, Middlesex, Elizabeth Hill, of St. Paul's, Shadwell. Pinkethman's booth was handed on to his son, who also acted. At the opening of Covent Garden Theatre, 7 Dec. 1732, he played Waitwell in ''The Way of the World'', was Antonio in ''Chances'' at Drury Lane, 23 November 1739, and died 15 May 1740.

Notes

Attribution

Bibliography

*F. H. Mares
‘Pinkethman , William (c.1660x65–1725)’
''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 6 Sept 2007

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinkethman, William
1725 deaths
English male stage actors
Year of birth uncertain
17th-century English male actors
18th-century English male actors
1660s births
English theatre managers and producers