John Harper (actor)

Harper originally performed at Bartholomew Fair and Southwark Fair; a performance for his benefit at William Bullock's booth in Birdcage Alley, consisting of The Jew of Venice, songs and dances, and the drunken man by Harper, was announced in The Daily Courant of 24 September 1719.

[1] On 7 November 1719 at Lincoln's Inn Fields Harper was the original Montmorency in Charles Beckingham's Henry IV of France.

For some years he was the Falstaff of Drury Lane, and was more popular in the part than his rival James Quin.

John Highmore, the theatre's patentee, made him the target of a test legal action under the Vagrant Act, 12 Queen Anne; and on 12 November 1733 Harper was committed to Bridewell, as a vagabond.

It was pleaded on his behalf that he paid his debts, was well esteemed by persons of condition, was a freeholder in Surrey, and a householder in Westminster.