[1] Thomas was based in Hythe, Kent when he first acted on the stage in 1794, aged 15.
The three month season was a success, and a petition was created calling for a permanent theatre in the town.
[1] The petition was headed by Edward Ogle, whom funded the construction of a new theatre in Ann Street, which opened in 1807.
Trotter would run the new theatre, but would in the meantime start building further theatres in Sittingbourne in 1803, Hythe, Kent and Southend-on-Sea[3] in 1804, and run several others in Shoreham-by-Sea, Littlehampton, Arundel, Gravesend, Maidstone and Brighton.
[1] Trotter would go and lead the construction of new Royal Baths in Paragon Street, Worthing, which opened in 1823.