bannister was born in gloucestershire. when he was seven his father moved to deptford. he was possessed of 'a manly form, an ardent mind, and an uncommon flow of wit.' he a company of players who visited his neighbourhood, and aspired to their profession. at 18 he made amateur appearances in "romeo and juliet" and "richard iii" in deptford. drury lane turned him down, but after successful work in norwich, ipswich and other eastern towns, samuel foote gave him his first london appearance in 1762 at the haymarket theatre, as will tirehack in "the orators", opposite john palmer as harry scamper, who also made his debut on that occasion. bannister remained palmer's friend thereafter with 'manly firmness and immoveable constancy'. long afterwards, in june 1787, palmer as manager of the royalty theatre attempted to present dramatic works (including "as you like it"), and then other lighter entertainments of the stage, with the encouragement of arthur murphy, contrary to statute. bannister, even after the legal danger was apparent, remained with him, and was committed for trial, though the warrant was superseded.