'Youthful tragedian' performs Hamlet

Here’s a warm Devonport welcome for a young Prince Hamlet. Over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries there were a number of child-stars who trod the boards.

The writer of this playbill is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Master G Owen who has not performed at the theatre in the town for five years!

Each of these wunderkind were billed as the Young Roscius (after a famous Roman actor) and caused a sensation when they appeared in leading roles such as the Prince of Denmark.

Master Betty, the most celebrated Young Roscius. With thanks to Yale Center for British Art and Paul Mellon Fund.

However when they grew up, the enthusiasm of spectators turns in to ennui and the search begins all over again for the next bright young thing.

The most famous Young Roscuis was Master William Henry Betty, 1791 -1874, who was mobbed in the streets, enjoyed an audience with the monarch and merited, according to William Pitt, the prime minster of the day, an adjournment of Parliament in order to see him tread the boards.

In his wake, others followed such as Mr G Owen who was born in 1825, but who has grown up a little since his last appearance in Devonport.

Now he’s an elderly 21, the writer of the playbill is working hard to remind people of the child prodigy they enjoyed watching only a few years ago.

An effusive review from The Theatrical Chronicle, London is quoted.

"Probably since the days of the great Master Betty, no person has created so much sensation in the circles in which he has appeared, as the Young Gentleman whose name figures at the head of this article.

The development of genius in a young mind must ever be an interesting study, and we shall therefore make no apology for introducing to our readers this individual, who has by his talents secured a degree of fame in the highest walks of a difficult profession."

So it goes on, listing the young actor’s birth on 12th of December, 1825 at 129 Strand, and his successful debut appearance at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham, in 1837 followed eight months later in Newcastle.

"It was not to be imagined that rumour with her thousand tongues would be long in wafting to the Metropolis the name of a child possessing such extraordinary talent."

Alongside the juvenile’s prowess in popular roles such as Oliver Twist, his talents as a Shakespearean actor have been lavishly praised in the press right across the provinces.

The young actor continues his run on Wednesday, Jan. 27th, 1847.

Shortly after this, on a playbill dated Tuesday Feb 9th 1847, the writer cannot contain his excitement.

"Master Henry Betty, son of the English Roscius, and of the Theatre Royal Convent Garden will soon be appearing at the theatre.

Whose Performance have excited great interest, and been enthusiastically received in the Metropolis, and the Provinces, is engaged POSITIVELY FOR 4 NIGHTS ONLY, he exhales with excitement.

During which period he will perform in some of those Shakespearian and other Tragic Plays: in which he has acquired his greatest popularity."

He will make his Second Appearance in Devonport – his last provincial engagement before he goes to London.

This playbill shows the popularity of London stars, who provincial theatres strove to attract, a process that was aided by the development of the railway.