John Clayton (British actor)
John Clayton (14 February 1845 – 27 February 1888) was an English actor. After building a career in a range of parts, he became best known for his roles in the farces of Arthur Wing Pinero. With Arthur Cecil he was joint manager of the Court Theatre in London from 1883 until his death, aged 43, while on tour in Liverpool. Life and career Early years Clayton was born John Alfred Clayton Calthrop at Gosberton, Lincolnshire, on 14 February 1845, the son of James Thompson Calthrop and his wife Edna, née Knowles. After some successful amateur experiences he made his first professional appearance on the stage on 27 February 1866, at the St James's Theatre, as George Hastings in She Stoops to Conquer. The theatrical newspaper The Era reported, "He has a good figure, and showed an easy self-possession which enabled him to acquit himself with credit". The paper added that it was doubtful if light comedy was the genre in which the debutant would make his reputation. Over the next decade Clayton appeared in a range of roles in London. At the Olympic Theatre he appeared in a "comedietta" called Six Months Ago, then played Landry Barbeau in the