John Knowles (1810–1880) was an English businessman who is well known as the proprietor of the Theatre Royal on Peter Street, Manchester from 1844 to 1875.
[1] He was the son of a successful businessman, whose many business interests included, as well as that of a coal merchant, the manufacturing of "British and Italian marble chimney-pieces by machinery" and the proprietorship of the Peacock Office at 105 Market Street, from which the famous "Peveril of the Peak" coach made its journey from Manchester to London.
[10] Precautionary measures against fire were taken by placing a tank on the roof capable of holding 20,000 gallons of water, which was connected by pipes to the stage and the green room.
[10] Its programme that night included Weber's Oberon overture, Douglas Jerrold's "Time works wonders" and an elaborate ballet spectacle "The Court Ball in 1740".
[10] In 1866, Knowles was questioned by the Parliamentary select committee[11] regarding the types of dramatic genres that attracted audiences at provincial theatres.
He was asked whether 'the higher class of drama answers' or whether 'successful speculation is confined to pantomime, burlesque, and kindred pieces?'
There were many advertisements in The Manchester Guardian; one reads, 'Italian marble chimney pieces, and c. John Knowles respectfully solicits an inspection of his EXTENSIVE STOCK OF CHIMNEY PIECES, in every description...'[14] Knowles was felt by many to be arrogant and overbearing in business, but others admired his quick understanding and thoroughness, all agreeing on his wit and hospitality in his private life.
[10] He was one of the most successful managers of the Theatre Royal, resurrecting it from its ashes and reviving the theatrical culture of Manchester.