Henry Irving and The Victorian Theatre

Madeleine Bingham

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English

Routledge
06 June 2017

The Arts: General & Reference; Performance art; Acting techniques; Shakespeare plays; Reference works

Series: Routledge Library Editions: Victorian Theatre

Originally published in 1978. Henry Irving achieved an astounding success in Britain and America as an actor; yet he lacked good looks, had spindly legs, and did not have a good voice. He said so himself. Today Irving is regarded as the archetype of the old-time actor, but in his own time he was regarded as a great theatrical innovator. Even Bernard Shaw, who attacked him pitilessly, even unto death, called him ‘modern’ when he first saw him act.

Irving, the man, with his tenacious, obsessive talent, his human limitations and weaknesses, and his ephemeral glory is brought most sympathetically to life in this biography. It is written from contemporary sources, and from criticisms, lampoons, caricatures and gossip columns.

If Irving reflected certain aspects of his age, this book underlines the Victorian ethic to which he appealed and the backcloths against which it was set – the extraordinary lavishness of the Lyceum productions and the incredible extravagance of social entertaining. Not the least absorbing aspect of this biography is the fascinating account of the long partnership between Irving and Ellen Terry, still in many respects an enigmatic one, but here portrayed with lively insight into character combined with understanding and deep knowledge of the social and theatrical context of the Victorian age.

By: Madeleine Bingham
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 2
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 430g
ISBN: 9781138936560
ISBN 10: 1138936561
Series: Routledge Library Editions: Victorian Theatre
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 06 June 2017
Audience: College/higher education , Primary , A / AS level
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Madeleine Bingham