Editing Charles Bannister (section)

==Origins and debut==
Bannister was born in [[Gloucestershire]]. When he was seven his father moved to [[Deptford]]. He was possessed of 'a manly form, an ardent mind, and an uncommon flow of wit.' He a company of players who visited his neighbourhood, and aspired to their profession. At 18 he made amateur appearances in ''Romeo and Juliet'' and ''Richard III'' in Deptford. [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane|Drury Lane]] turned him down, but after successful work in [[Norwich]], [[Ipswich]] and other eastern towns, [[Samuel Foote]] gave him his first London appearance in 1762 at the [[Haymarket Theatre]], as Will Tirehack in ''The Orators'', opposite [[John Palmer (actor)|John Palmer]] as Harry Scamper, who also made his debut on that occasion.<ref>John Adolphus, ''Memoirs of John Bannister, Comedian'', 2 Vols (Richard Bentley, London 1839), [https://archive.org/stream/memoirsjohnbann00adolgoog#page/n32/mode/2up Vol. 1, p. 4].</ref> Bannister remained Palmer's friend thereafter with 'manly firmness and immoveable constancy'. Long afterwards, in June 1787, Palmer as manager of the Royalty Theatre attempted to present dramatic works (including ''[[As You Like It]]''), and then other lighter entertainments of the stage, with the encouragement of [[Arthur Murphy (writer)|Arthur Murphy]], contrary to Statute. Bannister, even after the legal danger was apparent, remained with him, and was committed for trial, though the warrant was superseded.<ref>Adolphus 1839, Vol. 1 pp. 155–59.</ref>