SIR HENRY IRVING

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20422, 12 February 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

SIR HENRY IRVING

OUTSTANDING SHAKESPEAREAN 1838 —1938 One hundred years ago. on February 6. 1838, John Brodribb first saw the light of day, at Keinton-Mandeville, Somerset. Little did the neighbours think that the little lad would one day become world-famous as an actor. No one would Imagine for a moment that a young man of such physique would rise to the heights of a profession that called for long hours and physical endurance. With a limp in his gait and an impediment in his speech, young Brodribb threw up a clerical position in London and made his first appearance in Sunderland as Gaston. Due d'Orleans. in Ruhver Lytton’s drama of Richelieu. Within ten years this same actor, calling himself Henry Irving, played 500 parts. London Tn 1806 he came to London and played Dorincourt in the “Belle’s Stratagem.” In 1867 he joined a famous group consisting of Charles Wyndham, .T. L. Toole. Lionel Brough, John Clayton, Ellen Terry and Nellie Farren. Irving was not outstanding in these many roles: il was on June -i, 1870. at the Vaudeville Theatre, London. that he made his first, conspicuous triumph as Digbv Grant in “The Two Roses,” which ran for 300 nights. The Lyceum Theatre In 1871 “Henry” went to the Lyceum Theatre under the manageof the Batemans. As Mathias in “The Bells” Irving created the most famous role of his life. The play ran for 150 nights. “Macbeth.” “Othello,” “Hamlet,” “Philip,’ ‘Richard IIT.”. and Ihe ‘Lyons Mail” were all produced under the Bateman regime. Outstanding in this group was Irving’s interpretation of Hamlet. He conceived the role entirely apart from orthodox lines, and his Hamlet is his outstanding Shakespearean character. In 1878 that great partnership started with Ellen Terry. The Lyceum became the theatre of London and the world. Sir Henry’s last production was that of “Dante,” at Drury Lane Theatre in 1903. On October 13, 1905, while playing “Becket” in Bradford, Irving uttered the lines: “Into Thy hands, O Lord,” and collapsed and died. He found a fitting resting place in Westminster Abbey. Personal Items This great actor was affectionately knows as “Henry,” the “Guv’nor,” and Sir Henry Irving. He was knighted in 1895. Honours were conferred upon him by the universities of Cambridge, Dublin and Glasgow. lie

strongly opposed the Baconian theory relative to Shakespeare’s works. He had a marked personality and was extraordinarily versatile —Digby Grant and Louis XL, Richard 111. and Becket, Benedick and Shylock, and Mathias and Dr. Primrose. He made special preparation for his entrances and exits. His speech tended to enrich the sound of words, giving expressive values rather than reflniment. He said “Gud” for “God,” “god” for “good.” The lines from “Macbeth. To trammel up the consequence,” Irving said, “tram-melc up-p the cunsequnce.” We cannot estimate the worth of . Henry Irvine apart from Ellen Terry. The combination of these two souls, together with the atmosphere of the old Lyceum Theatre, made a perfect whole. II was the same with Gilbert and Sullivan and the Savoy Theatre. Each pari was necessary for success. In his death scenes Irving was magnificent. Ellen Terry stated that she was ever fearful of Henry in “The Bells" lest he should really die. The whole expression of his* body produced the deathly effect. The writer was privileged to be at the last performance of Sir Henry's Shylock at Drury Lane Theatre. That memory cannot he effaced. It was one of those outstanding moments of life. Although Sir Henry Irving was Hie actor of his day and generation, he never lost his humanity. He did not suffer from the usual complaints ot stars; he looked after the less fortunate of his profession, though few knew whom he helped. “He was the noblest Roman of them all.” —M. St B. .T.