E. J. Lonnen (1860 – 31 October 1901) was an English actor and comedian known for his performances in musical burlesques and musicals, particularly at the Gaiety Theatre, London at the end of the Victorian era.
Contents |
Lonnen was born into a theatrical family. His father was an actor-manager, well known in the provinces under his stage name of Champion.[1] Lonnen appeared in his father's productions from an early age. "I have a distinct recollection of playing a speaking part in a pantomime when I was five years old. I have been the baby in East Lynne; Prince Arthur – in fact I have played the whole round of juvenile parts."[1] As a teenager, Lonnen acted for Harry Wright's "booth" company of travelling players, and shortly before he was 20, he was engaged to appear with Barry Sullivan, and then with Edward Terry playing Tootles in Weak Woman and the Dougal Creature in Robbing Roy.[1] He made a hit in a Liverpool pantomime with Frank Emery, who engaged him for his burlesque company for a provincial tour that brought him to wider attention.[1]
Lonnen made his London debut as Tancred in Falka,[1] and subsequently appeared in many musical burlesques and musicals, mostly at the Gaiety Theatre in London, including Frankenstein, or The Vampire's Victim (1887 at the Gaiety), Miss Esmeralda as Frollo (1888 at the Gaiety, in which he sang Killaloe, perhaps his most popular song),[2] Faust up to date as Mephistopheles (1888 at the Gaiety), Carmen up to Data as José (1890 at the Gaiety), Cinder Ellen up too Late as Prince Belgravia (1891 at the Gaiety), Little Christopher Columbus as O'hoolegan (1893 at the Lyric Theatre), Baron Golosh in the title role (1895 at the Trafalgar Theatre) and La Béarnaise as Girafo (1896 at the Prince of Wales's Theatre). In the burlesque Monte Cristo Junr at the Gaiety, he sang the song "Ballyhooly". He starred in The Messenger Boy as Cosmos Bey (1900 at the Gaiety).
Lonnen died of tuberculosis at the age of 41 and was buried at the Norwood Cemetery. His daughter was actress Jessie Lonnen, who performed with George Edwardes's company in England[3] and the J. C. Williamson company in Australia. His son, Lieut. Edwin John Leslie Lonnen, a pilot with the RFC, was killed in action in World War I at the age of 27.[4]