John Brunton (scenic artist)

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John Brunton (15 May 1849 – 22 July 1909) was a Scottish scenic artist who worked for theatres in Britain and Australia. He was the father of actor Dorothy Brunton.

History[]

Brunton was born in Edinburgh and educated at the old High School near The Canongate. He showed an early interest in the graphic arts that his father encouraged, to the extent of enrolling him at age twelve in painting classes conducted by , part proprietor of the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, and the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.[1] He also studied watercolor painting under Sam Bough, a Scottish Royal Academician, and over the years painted a number of scenes for his personal enjoyment. After seven years' tutoring under Glover, which included training in boxing, fencing and outdoors skills, Brunton was employed as a scene painter at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, culminating in the 1869 Christmas pantomime. In 1870 he returned to the Theatre Royal, where the scenic artist was George Gordon's father. After four years there, he moved to the ,[2] where he remained for nine years, a happy time for him as his studio doubled as a clubroom, gymnasium and shooting gallery, which he shared with a group of friends who kept him supplied with cigars and drinks.[1] He was invited to Australia by Williamson, Garner and Musgrove and, shortly before leaving, conducted an exhibition of his paintings at Agnew's and the , which were praised by some eminent art critics,[1] and on 1 April 1886 was given a reception by the Liverpool Press Club.[2]

Australia[]

Brunton arrived at Melbourne by the steamer Garonne in May 1886, filling the vacancy left by George Gordon's temporary absence.[3] Later that year he painted the sets for the Australian premiere of Billee Taylor, featuring William Elton in his Australian debut as Ben Barnacle.

Gordon and Brunton supplied the settings for Charles Warner's 1888 season in Melbourne, which included Charles Reade's , Holcroft's The Road to Ruin, and Lord Lytton's Lady of Lyons at the Royal and the Princess Theatre from March to July 1888.

Around 1900 Brunton began doing work for the actor-producer Bland Holt, who specialised in spectacular adventures, with the effects perhaps more important than the drama:[4] Arthur Shirley's The Absent-Minded Beggar; or, For Queen and Country; followed by With Flying Colors, by Seymour Hicks; The Great Ruby, by Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton.[5]

Brunton died unexpectedly at his home, "Roslyn Gardens", in Darlinghurst.[4] His remains were buried at the Waverley Cemetery.

A gallery was made of his personal collection of watercolors and oil paintings at the Pianola showrooms, George Street, Sydney, in August 1909, and the following year in the foyer of Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. They were all for sale, the proceeds for the benefit of his widow.[6]

Family[]

Brunton married actress Cecily Christina Neilsen (died 22 June 1933),[7] his second wife, but year of marriage not yet found, nor her relation to his children:

  • Robert Brunton, scenic artist, did not follow his father to Australia. Developed a movie studio in Los Angeles,[8] which he sold to T. J. Selznick (perhaps Lewis J. Selznick) and Joseph Schenck, husband of Norma Talmadge.[9]
  • John Brunton (born Port Said c. March 1888), was an adventurous world traveller,[10] married Mary before 1916, enlisted with AIF 1916, worked with brother Robert for some years, later picture theatre manager.
  • Christine Dorothy Brunton (11 October 1890 – 5 June 1977), known as Dorothy Brunton, was an actress, married to Ben Dawson.

Further reading[]

  • . "JCW: A Scenic Tour". Theatre Heritage Australia. Retrieved 13 October 2021. An overview of scene painting.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Mr John Brunton". Table Talk. No. 222. Victoria, Australia. 20 September 1889. p. 5. Retrieved 12 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b "John L. Hall". The Lorgnette. Vol. XLI. Victoria, Australia. 5 June 1886. p. 4. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "News". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 12, 458. Victoria, Australia. 31 May 1886. p. 4. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ a b "Death of John Brunton". Evening News (Sydney). No. 13, 142. New South Wales, Australia. 23 July 1909. p. 12. Retrieved 12 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Entertainments". The Australasian. Vol. LXX, no. 1818. Victoria, Australia. 2 February 1901. p. 35. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "John Brunton's Pictures". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 19, 920. Victoria, Australia. 26 May 1910. p. 8. Retrieved 12 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Mrs C. Brunton". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 29, 788. New South Wales, Australia. 23 June 1933. p. 15. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "The Brunton Studios in Los Angeles, Covering 65 Acres". Table Talk. No. 1885. Victoria, Australia. 15 September 1921. p. 39. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Footlights and Screen". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 14, 295. Victoria, Australia. 7 January 1922. p. 16. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Famous Arctic Explorer". The Prahran Telegraph. Vol. 51, no. 2681. Victoria, Australia. 8 March 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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