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(Walter) Brandon Thomas

(1848-1914), Actor, playwright and songwriter

Sitter in 7 portraits
Walter Brandon Thomas is best remembered for writing the comic play Charley's Aunt (1892), which broke all historic records for plays of any kind, with an original London run of 1,466 performances. Born in Liverpool, Thomas worked initially as a clerk, but his passion was the stage and he began performing in music halls in his spare time. His first London success was in Sweet Lavender by Arthur Wing Pinero. Charley's Aunt premiered at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds in 1892, with Thomas himself playing Sir Francis Chesney in the play. The piece opened in London later in the year where it completed its record-breaking run. It also had a major success in the US on Broadway (1893) and in many other countries.

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(Walter) Brandon Thomas, by Napoleon Sarony - NPG x25223

(Walter) Brandon Thomas

by Napoleon Sarony
albumen cabinet card, circa 1885
NPG x25223

(Walter) Brandon Thomas, by Herbert Rose Barraud, published by  Carson & Comerford - NPG Ax9289

(Walter) Brandon Thomas

by Herbert Rose Barraud, published by Carson & Comerford
carbon print, published 1 March 1887
NPG Ax9289

(Walter) Brandon Thomas, by Herbert Rose Barraud, published by  Carson & Comerford - NPG x12969

(Walter) Brandon Thomas

by Herbert Rose Barraud, published by Carson & Comerford
carbon print, published 1 March 1887
NPG x12969

(Walter) Brandon Thomas as John of Gaunt in 'Richard II', by Lizzie Caswall Smith, published by  E. Wrench - NPG x200544

(Walter) Brandon Thomas as John of Gaunt in 'Richard II'

by Lizzie Caswall Smith, published by E. Wrench
bromide postcard print, 1903
NPG x200544

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