Thomas Killigrew
Thomas Killigrew (1612-1683) was a prominent English playwright and theatrical entrepreneur known for his contributions to the Restoration theater. Born in London to a notable family, he was exposed to the theatrical world from an early age, which influenced his future career. Killigrew served as a page to King Charles I and, after the king's execution, joined the royalist cause, leading to his exile in Paris. During his time abroad, he continued to write plays, including successful works like "Parson's Wedding," which showcased his talent for comedy.
Following the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Killigrew was appointed to royal positions and became instrumental in the establishment of new theaters in London, including the original Theatre Royal. His company, the King's Players, became one of the leading theatrical groups of the era. However, he faced challenges in management, particularly in his later years, as family disputes arose, and his financial situation deteriorated. Despite these struggles, Killigrew left a lasting legacy in English theater, and his influence continued through his sons, who also pursued theatrical careers. He was buried at Westminster Abbey, marking his significance in the cultural history of England.
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Thomas Killigrew
Dramatist
- Born: February 7, 1612
- Birthplace: London, England
- Died: March 19, 1683
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
Thomas Killigrew was born in London in 1612, the son of Sir Robert and Mary (Woodhouse) Killigrew. He attended many plays in his youth, preparing him for what would be his life’s work in the theater. When he was twenty-one years old, he became a page to King Charles I and married Cecilia Crofts, who died in 1638; the couple had one son, Henry.
Two of his tragic-comedies, Prisoners, and Claracilla, were produced at the Phoenix Theatre in Drury Lane in 1641. His play Parson’s Wedding, a very coarse comedy, was so successful that playwright William Congreve stole some of Killigrew’s jokes to use in his plays. Killigrew was arrested for taking up arms in defense of Charles I, and after his release he joined the king’s son, Prince Charles, in exile in Paris. Killigrew continued to write plays while abroad and in 1651 served as Prince Charles’s resident in Venice, but he was recalled to Paris the following year because of reports of his debauchery. In 1655, he married Charlotte de Hesse at the Hague; the couple had four children.
After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, King Charles II rewarded Killigrew for his loyalty by appointing him groom of the bedchamber to the king and chamberlain to the queen. Killigrew’s close connections with Charles II (his sister, Elizabeth, also was one of the king’s mistresses), enabled him to become a theatrical entrepreneur as well as a successful playwright. Killigrew and Sir William Davenant received a grant from Charles II allowing them to build two new playhouses and to license their own plays without the approval of Sir Henry Herbert, who served as master of revels. Killigrew’s theatrical company, the King’s Players, initially performed at Gibbon’s Tennis Court in Clare Market; Davenant’s company, the Duke’s Players, acted at the Salisbury Court Theatre, then at Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The Earl of Bedford also granted Killigrew a forty-one-year lease to build another theater, the original Theatre Royal, which opened April 8, 1663. However, the Theatre Royal burned in 1672 and was rebuilt as the Drury Lane Theatre.
In 1673, Killigrew succeeded Sir Henry Herbert as master of the revels, giving him a great deal of power over Restoration theater. However, he was not an effective manager, and he and his son Charles quarreled over his administration. Eventually, Charles gained control of the King’s Players but also assumed his father’s considerable debts. In 1682, his company merged with Davenant’s; until the mid-nineteenth century the Theatre Royal, the name of Davenant’s theater, and Drury Lane were the only two playhouses in London licensed for dramatic performances. The two theaters still survive as theatrical venues.
Killigrew died in 1683 and was buried at Westminster Abbey. Two of his sons also enjoyed theatrical success: Thomas became a playwright, and Charles eventually gained his father’s post as master of revels.