Benjamin Conquest

Following the retirement of Thomas Rouse in 1851, he became the proprietor of the Grecian Theatre and Eagle Tavern in the City Road, Hackney, London.

[1][3] The theatre had previously produced light opera and was originally a music hall, but Conquest switched to Shakespeare which was unsuccessful.

He then tried melodrama which was more popular and he produced over 100 such shows written by his son George, often adapted from French productions.

George was also an acrobat and pantomimist and produced nearly 50 pantomimes in collaboration with Henry Spry.

[2] Conquest died at his home in the New North Road, London, on 12 July 1872, aged 68.