John Henry Johnstone (1749â€"1828), also known as 'Jack' Johnstone or
'Irish' Johnstone, was an Irish actor, comedian and singer.Johnstone
was born probably on 1 August 1749, in the horse-barracks in Kilkenny,
where his father, a quartermaster in a dragoon regiment, was then
quartered. He joined a cavalry regiment, and won some reputation among
his comrades for his sweet tenor voice. It is said that on his
discharge his colonel recommended him for his singing in a letter to
Thomas Ryder, manager of the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin. Here in
any case Johnstone made his first stage appearance, about 1773, as
Lionel in Lionel and Clarissa (Charles Dibdin and Isaac Bickerstaffe).
He was engaged for three years, and remained from seven to ten years
on the Irish stage, singing principal tenor parts.On the
recommendation of Charles Macklin, Johnstone and his wife were engaged
by Thomas Harris at Covent Garden Theatre for three years, and
Johnstone was well received on his début as Lionel on 2 October 1783.
'Irish' Johnstone, was an Irish actor, comedian and singer.Johnstone
was born probably on 1 August 1749, in the horse-barracks in Kilkenny,
where his father, a quartermaster in a dragoon regiment, was then
quartered. He joined a cavalry regiment, and won some reputation among
his comrades for his sweet tenor voice. It is said that on his
discharge his colonel recommended him for his singing in a letter to
Thomas Ryder, manager of the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin. Here in
any case Johnstone made his first stage appearance, about 1773, as
Lionel in Lionel and Clarissa (Charles Dibdin and Isaac Bickerstaffe).
He was engaged for three years, and remained from seven to ten years
on the Irish stage, singing principal tenor parts.On the
recommendation of Charles Macklin, Johnstone and his wife were engaged
by Thomas Harris at Covent Garden Theatre for three years, and
Johnstone was well received on his début as Lionel on 2 October 1783.
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