Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 1.djvu/254

 'Prince Pretty Pet and the Butterfly.' Six months later he withdrew from the stage to become assistant publisher to the 'Daily Telegraph' on its establishment, and in that position originated the custom of selling newspapers on the streets, by organising a staff of 240 boys for the purpose. In 1858 he again returned to the theatre, appearing at the Lyceum on 27 December under the name of 'Lionel Porter,' in Robert Brough's extravaganza 'The Siege of Troy.' But he soon left the stage to fill for some three years a commercial position on the staff of the 'Morning Star.' In 1862 he began giving monologue entertainments in the Polytechnic Institution in Regent Street, and in 1863 introduced to the provinces the spectral illusion known as 'Pepper's Ghost' [see ]. Late in 1863 he visited Liverpool with other members of the Garrick Club to give a dramatic performance on behalf of the Lancashire famine relief fund. Struck by his abilities, Alexander Henderson, the manager of the local Prince of Wales's Theatre, offered him an engagement. In Feb. 1864 he seriously entered at Liverpool on the profession of an actor. Remaining at the Prince of Wales's for over two years, he was seen there on 8 May 1865 as the original John Chodd, jun., in T. W. Robertson's 'School,' and on Whit-Monday, 1866, as Castor to the Œnone of Henry Irving in Burnand's extravaganza 'Paris.'

Brough reappeared in London on 24 Oct. 1867, on the opening of the new Queen's Theatre, Long Acre, when he was the original Dard in Charles Reade's 'The Double Marriage.' But it was not until the production of H. J. Byron's 'Dearer than Life,' on 8 Jan. 1868, that his ability became recognised. His acting as the old reprobate, Ben Garner, was marked by both power and finish. At Christmas he appeared with John Lawrence Toole [q. v. Suppl. II], and Henrietta Hodson [q. v. Suppl. II] in William Brough's extravaganza 'The Gnome King.' In October 1869 when Mrs. John Wood opened the St. James's Theatre with a revival of 'She Stoops to Conquer,' Brough played Tony Lumpkin for close on two hundred nights. Thenceforth he was the accepted representative of the character, and played it in all 777 times. Subsequently at the St. James's he gave a droll impersonation of Paul Pry, which proved popular. On 16 Jan. 1871 he was in the original cast of T. W. Robertson's 'War,' a play which failed to attract. On 7 March he played Sir Kidd Parkhouse in Albery's new comedy 'Two Thorns.'

In March 1872 Brough, although he was no trained singer, joined Mr. Fell at the Holborn Theatre to sustain prominent parts in 'La Vie Parisienne' and other light musical pieces. On 29 Aug. he appeared at Covent Garden in Boucicault and Planche's fantastic spectacle of 'Babil and Bijou,' an elaborate production which he was engaged to superintend. In April 1873 he became principal low comedian at the Gaiety Theatre under John Hollingshead [q. v. Suppl. II]. In 1874 he transferred his services to the Globe. At the Charing Cross Theatre (afterwards the Folly and Toole's) on 19 Sept. of that year he played the title character in Farnie's extravaganza of 'Blue Beard' (originally produced in America), and by his ample comic invention materially contributed to the great success of an indifferent production. Brough was at this period an uncertain and unequal actor, but was steadily out-growing a curious habit of bleating in his speech as well as a tendency towards excessive noise and extravagant gesture. On 23 April 1879 he joined the company of Marie Litton [q. v.] at the Imperial Theatre, Westminster, as 'first low comedian,' appearing on that date as Claude Melnotte in Younge's burlesque of 'The Lady of Lyons.' Subsequently he gave a number of excellent old comedy characterisations, his Tony Lumpkin and his Croaker in Goldsmith's 'Good-natured Man' being especially commended. On 25 Feb. 1880 he appeared as Touchstone.

On 13 June 1881 Brough returned to the Alexandra, Liverpool, to play Dromio of Ephesus in a revival of 'The Comedy of Errors.' On 19 Sept. he appeared at the Theatre Royal, Brighton, as Laurent XVII in the first English performance of Audran's opera comique ' La Mascotte ' ; he played the part for the first time in London on 15 Oct. at the opening of the new Royal Comedy Theatre. In May 1884 he played Bob Acres in the Haymarket revival of 'The Rivals,' and on 9 Sept. became joint lessee with Willie Edouin [q. v. Suppl. II] of Toole's Theatre (formerly the Folly). The opening bill presented Paulton's burlesque 'The Babes,' which, with Brough as Bill Booty, ran 100 nights. In 1886 Brough went to America with the Violet Cameron company, playing in opera bouffe. Returning to England early in 1887, he appeared with Kate Vaughan [q. v. Suppl. II] at the Opera Comique in the spring, in a round of old comedies.