View source for Cecil Crofton



Cecil Crofton was the stage name of Frederick Martin (c.1859-1935). He had gained experience of acting on the amateur stage, including at Chatsworth House, in Derbyshire, England. His father, Gilson Martin, was the land agent for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for 27 years.

Crofton began his stage career in 1882 in Wilson Barrett's Lights o' London company at the Princess's Theatre. He toured as Charles II in ''Nell Gwynne;'' performed in ''The Countess and the Dancer'' and ''Camille'' at the Olympic Theatre in 1886; and in Cunningham Bridgman's ''Mischief'' at the Gaiety. In that same year he played the role of George Ralston in ''Jim the Penman'' which was then performed again at the Shaftesbury Theatre when it opened in 1889 and on tour in 1893. In 1891 he played Mr. Dobbinson in Our Regiment and in the same year was at Drury Lane as Spooner in ''Formosa''. He also played in ''The Prince and the Pauper, Watching and Waiting,'' and ''The Custome House'' at the Vaudeville Theatre and ''Brighton'' at the Criterion Theatre. In 1894 he toured in The Late Lamented. He also performed in ''The Middleman'' as Epiphany Danks and ''The Professor's Love Story'' as Dr Yellowlees before his professional career came to an end.       

Crofton died a bachelor at the age of 76. An obituary describes Crofton as having an "engaging personality" and there is various evidence to suggest that he may have been queer. 
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Britain]]