Bancroft, Lady (1839–1921)

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Bancroft, Lady (1839–1921)

English stage star and theater manager. Name variations: Marie Wilton; Marie Bancroft. Born Marie Effie Wilton, Jan 12, 1839, in Doncaster, England; died May 22, 1921, in London; dau. of Robert Pleydell Wilton (actor) and Georgiana Jane (Faulkner) Wilton; m. Squire Bancroft (actor-manager), 1867 (died 1926).

With father, appeared on stage as a child (1845); made London debut with Charles Dillon in Belphegor (1856), followed by Perdita in William Brough's musical version of A Winter's Tale; with playwright H.J. Byron and later her husband, managed the Prince of Wales (1865–80), appearing there in La Sonnambula, Society, Ours, Caste, Play, School, MP, Man and Wife, Sweethearts, The Vicarage, Diplomacy and London Assurance, among others, making it the leading house for comedy in England; with husband, managed the Haymarket (1880–85), appearing there in Odette, Fédora and Lords and Commons. Wrote 3 plays, the novel Shadow of Neeme, and collaborated with husband on Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft: On and Off the Stage.