Master Herbert

Master Herbert (born 1822) was an English child actor.

Master Herbert
Born(1822-12-22)22 December 1822
Wisbech, Isle of Ely, England
OccupationActor
Years active1827 to c1830
Parent(s)
  • John Herbert (father)

'Master Herbert' also known as the 'Infant Roscius' Henry Herbert (1822-?) born 22 December, in Wisbech, the son of John Herbert (a member of Wisbech Harmonic Society). He was taken to the theatre at the age of two.

The family moved to London, where he watched Edmund Kean perform. The family relocated to Reading, where he saw another juvenile Roscius, Master Grossmith perform. George Dibdin Pitt of the Surrey theatre wrote a suitable piece Peter Proteus; or How to gain five thousand pounds for the young actor. His first performance was at Watford. He performed at Reading reciting a comic piece in The Star Struck Sailor and the song 'Barney Brannigan'.[1] He also returned to Wisbech to perform at what is now the Angles Theatre in 1829.[2] From Wisbech he was to perform at the George and Star Inn, Whittlesey on 1st September and then Peterborough, Thorney, March, Long Sutton and Holbeach.[3] In December 1829 he appeared at Norwich for three nights and at Holkham Hall before going to Aylsham.[4] In 1830 he performed in Beverley, Bridlington, York, Scarborough, Knareborough, Richmond, Pontefract and at Leeds in December.[5] In April 1831 he performed Peter Proteus! At the Royal Pavilion Theatre.[6] He performed as Briefwit in The Weathercock at Chelmsford theatre on 23rd August 1833.[7] In December he appeared at Huntingdon and received much applause.[8] A return visit was made to Wisbech during the Mart before moving to neighbouring towns.[9]

References
  1. "Reading". Berkshire Chronicle. 4 April 1829. p. 1.
  2. Cole, John (1830). "A biographical account of the infant Roscius". The biography of Herbert Henry. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  3. "The Infant Roscius". Stamford Mercury. 28 August 1829. p. 3.
  4. "The Infant Roscius". Norfolk Chronicle. 5 December 1829. p. 3.
  5. "The Infant Prodigy". Leeds Intelligencer. 16 December 1830. p. 2.
  6. "Royal Pavilion Theatre". Morning Advertiser. 21 April 1831. p. 2.
  7. "Theatre, Chelmsford". Essex Herald. 20 August 1833. p. 3.
  8. "Huntingdon". Cambridge Chronicle. 13 December 1833. p. 3.
  9. "Isle of Ely". Huntingdon, Bedford & Perteborough Gazette. 8 March 1834. p. 2.

Further reading
  • Wright, Neil R (2016). Treading the Boards. Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology.
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