Rollo Balmain

Rollo Balmain was born in 1856 in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England as David Frederick Balmain. He was an actor and a manager who had begun work in commerce but abandoned it for life on the stage. Balmain first appeared with William Duck in 'Called Back' and 'Dark Days'. Early performances were in 'Hazel Kirke' (1886) where he performed alongside Sara Mignon (playing his daughter). Mignon and Balmain were married the following year. He also performed in 'Secrets of the Police' (1887), and 'Hoodman Blind' (1888). In 1891 he became a theatre manager in Northampton. In 1892 he became manager of the Princess Theatre, London, and in March 1901 he took over the Walthamstow theatre and re-opened it as the King's. At the end of 1903 he became proprietor of the Theatre Royal, Barrow-in-Furness. He was also, at various times lessee of the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, and the Theatre Royal Cardiff. Balmain was one of the first subscribers to the Actors' Association. By February 1915 he had written 'Are We Downhearted', which was first produced at the Manchester Junction Theatre, although does not appear to have been licensed under this name. After being ill for some time Rollo Balmain died at Weston-super-Mare at the age of 63 in December 1920. His wife died two years later.

Performances associated with Rollo Balmain