Katherine Compton

For the American bicyclist, seeKatie Compton.

Compton, c. 1890

Katherine Julia Mackenzie(10 November 1849 – 16 May 1928) was an English actress, professionally known asKatherine Compton,or, more usually,Miss Compton.She was best known for her appearances in the comedies written by her husbandR. C. Carton,between 1885 and 1922.

Life and career

Early years

Compton was born on 10 November 1849 in London, the youngest of the seven children of the actorHenry Compton– whose real name was Charles Mackenzie – and his wife Emmeline Catherine,néeMontague (1823–1911).The Timessaid of her theatrical family:

Miss Compton's grandfather and father were comedians of note in the early Victorian and mid-Victorian theatre. Henry Compton, her father, who died in 1877, was among the first eccentric comedians of his time, scarcely less popular than his renowned contemporaries,BuckstoneandKeeley.The humorous imperturbability, which was a marked characteristic of Miss Compton's art, was inherited from her father, whose stolid self-complacency in many of his parts... delighted Victorian playgoers. Henry Compton's five sons and two daughters were all actors and actresses. The best known of his sons, the lateEdward Compton,founder of the Compton Comedy Company, was the father of two actor-sons and three actress-daughters, the youngest of whom is MissFay Compton.

Compton was originally destined for a musical career, but abandoned it and made her first appearance on the stage at theTheatre Royal, Bristolin October 1874 inMary Scott-Siddons's company, playing Maria inThe School for Scandal.The Bristol Timesthought she played the part "very naturally".She remained with the Bristol and other provincial companies for three years.In 1876 she married a fellow-actor from the Bristol company,R. C. Carton;they had one daughter.

Compton's London debut was in anotherSheridanplay,The Rivals,as Julia at theGaiety Theatrein May 1877.In 1878 she was engaged at theSt James's TheatreunderMrs John Wood's management, appearing as Lucy inSuch is the Law,Princess Lydia inThe Danischeffsand in other plays. In 1881 she appeared atToole's Theatre,as Mrs Parminter Blake inPinero'sImprudence,and in 1884 was at theGlobein the same author's comedy,Low Water.She played classical roles including Portia inThe Merchant of Veniceand Kate Hardcastle inShe Stoops to Conquerand Celia inAs You Like It.

In Carton's plays

"A Typical Miss Compton Part", 1922

A turning point in Compton's career came in 1885, with the production of her husband's first play (written in collaboration withCecil Raleigh),The Great Pink Pearl.According toThe Times,"That play was so successful that Mr Carton, hitherto an actor, was encouraged to devote himself entirely to playwriting. In the part of a Russian Princess Miss Compton gave a foretaste of the great lady, dignified, drily humorous and imperturbable, which was to be her characteristic part in later years".Thereafter she appeared mainly in plays written by her husband, who wrote leading female roles in his works with her in mind. In the 1880s there was Juno Johnstone inThe Treasure,Strand Theatre,1888. In the 1890s there were Mrs Bute Curzon inRobin Goodfellow,Garrick Theatre,1893; Lady Gwendoline inA White Elephant,Comedy Theatre,1896; and Lady Algy inLord and Lady Algy,Comedy, 1898.In the last of these her co-star wasCharles Hawtrey,andHenry Kemble,Eric Lewis,A. E. Matthews,Frederick VolpeandArthur Williamswere in the cast.Her last play of the decade was Carton'sWheels Within Wheelsat theCriterion Theatrein 1899.

In the 1900s she played seven roles in plays by her husband: Lady Huntworth inLady Huntworth's Experiment,Criterion, 1900; Countess Zechyadi inThe Undercurrent,Criterion, 1901; Mrs Auberton inA Clean Slate,Criterion, 1903; Mrs Repton inThe Rich Mrs Repton,Duke of York's Theatre,1904; the Duchess of Braceborough inMrs Hopkinson,Avenue Theatre,1905; Lady Diana Caldershaw inPublic Opinion,Wyndham's Theatre,1905; and Joanna, Countess of Rushmere inMr Preedy and the Countess,Criterion, 1909. Later appearances in his works included the Marchioness of Glenmoray inEccentric Lord Comberdene,St James's, 1910; Mrs Stanhope Molyneux inThe Bear Leaders,Comedy, 1912; Mrs Cosmo Carrington inA Busy Day,Apollo Theatre,1915; Lady Cardonnell inThe Off-Chance,Queen's,1917; Lady Jemima Ballardaile inThe Choice,Wyndham's, 1919; Lady Hammergallow inThe Wonderful Visit,St Martin's Theatre,1921; and Lady Conroy inOther People's Worries,Comedy, 1922.

The Timesrecalled:

None of these great, shrewd, kindly, and exasperating ladies was a mere double of another; but Carton had learned precisely how to bring out the funniest effects of Miss Compton's deep-toned drawl, her deceptively vacant smile, her stately deliberation (which usually enraged some character in the play, and always set the audlience laughing), and her consummate knowledge of how to make the points. It all seemed very easv, like the art of Charles Hawtrey and of Henry Kemble – until one saw and heard someone else trying to do it.

Compton died at the age of 77 at her house inActon,London, on 16 May 1928, a little over a month after her husband's death.

References and sources

Sources

• Parker, John, ed. (1922).Who's Who in the Theatre(fourth ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons.OCLC473894893.