Henry Irving & Ellen Terry - Playbill, 1897
Title
Henry Irving & Ellen Terry - Playbill, 1897
Date
4 October 1897
Description
Playbill for a week of several productions at the Theatre Royal, namely Madame Sans-Gene, Journey's End in Lovers Meeting, The Bells, The Merchant of Venice and A Story of Waterloo. All starring Henry Irving and Ellen Terry.
What's the story?
Henry Irving (1838 – 1905) is one of the great actor-mangers of the late Victorian era, establishing an extensive repertoire of work at the Lyceum Theatre in London, which he also toured frequently, playing all the major roles.
His reputation was sealed when, in 1895, he became the first actor to be awarded a knighthood. This is often perceived as the moment when the acting profession was properly accepted and subsequently recognised in the higher circles of British society.
Ellen Terry (1847 – 1928) was born into a family of actors and even in her teens she was touring in Shakespeare productions throughout the country
In 1878 she joined Henry Irving's company as his leading lady, and for more than the next two decades she was considered the leading Shakespearean and comic actress in Britain.
This 1897 Theatre Royal playbill clearly demonstrates the celebrity star power of both Irving and Terry at this time, as it is their names at the very top, above the actual play titles.
This was Irving’s first visit to Nottingham and he is performing two of his most famous roles – Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (with Terry playing a celebrated Portia) and Mathias in The Bells.
Also, appearing in The Bells, playing Annette is American actress Ethel Barrymore (1879 – 1959) of the famous Barrymore acting dynasty.
His reputation was sealed when, in 1895, he became the first actor to be awarded a knighthood. This is often perceived as the moment when the acting profession was properly accepted and subsequently recognised in the higher circles of British society.
Ellen Terry (1847 – 1928) was born into a family of actors and even in her teens she was touring in Shakespeare productions throughout the country
In 1878 she joined Henry Irving's company as his leading lady, and for more than the next two decades she was considered the leading Shakespearean and comic actress in Britain.
This 1897 Theatre Royal playbill clearly demonstrates the celebrity star power of both Irving and Terry at this time, as it is their names at the very top, above the actual play titles.
This was Irving’s first visit to Nottingham and he is performing two of his most famous roles – Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (with Terry playing a celebrated Portia) and Mathias in The Bells.
Also, appearing in The Bells, playing Annette is American actress Ethel Barrymore (1879 – 1959) of the famous Barrymore acting dynasty.
Type
Playbill
Location of item
Nottingham Local Studies Library
Rights
Nottingham Local Studies Library
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
