Thomas Knight (actor)
Wilkinson, who was greatly disappointed with him, advised him to quit the stage, but Knight struggled on, playing Charles Oakley, Spatterdash in the Young Quaker, Carbine in the Fair American, etc., and gradually grew in public favour.
On 27 October 1787 he played at the Bath Theatre as the Copper Captain, Spatterdash, Ramilie in the 'Miser', Duke of Monmouth in 'Such things were', and Marquis in the 'Midnight Hour' followed.
In Bath, as at Bristol, which was under the same management, he played during the nine years of his engagement an endless variety of comic parts—Charles Surface, Antonio in Follies of a Day, Clown in All's Well That Ends Well, Mercutio, Duretête, Goldfinch, Dromio of Ephesus, Pistol, and Autolycus being among the most easily recognisable.
Knight's first appearance at Covent Garden took place on 25 September 1795 as Jacob in The Chapter of Accidents (when his wife played Bridget) and Skirmish in Dibdin's The Deserter.
The most important are Sim in Wild Oats, Hodge, Bob Acres, Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Roderigo, Gratiano, Dick Dowlas, Sir Benjamin Backbite, Tony Lumpkin, Sergeant Kite in The Recruiting Officer, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Touchstone, and Lucio in Measure for Measure.
His original parts included Young Testy in Holman's Abroad and at Home, Count Cassel in Mrs. Inchbald's adaptation, Lovers' Vows, Changeable in Thomas Dibdin's Jew and the Doctor, Farmer Ashfield in Morton's Speed the Plough, and Corporal Foss in Colman's The Poor Gentleman.
During this season Knight remained at Covent Garden, where his last performance took place for his benefit, 15 May 1804, as Farmer Ashfield in 'Speed the Plough', and, for the first time, Lenitive in the 'Prize'.
His repertory was not unlike that of his namesake Edward Knight He had a light and elegant figure, a melodious voice, and much sense and tact.
As Watty Cockney in the 'Romp', chosen for his second part, he did not create much effect, and his wife's Priscilla Tomboy was a failure, the result being that both were relegated for a time into obscurity.
His great parts were Jacob Gawkey, Plethora in 'Secrets Worth Knowing', Count Cassel, and Farmer Ashfield, all very distinct impersonations.
