Henry Irving costume
Theatre Costume
1870 (made)
1870 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Henry Irving (1838-1905) wore this costume as Digby Grant in Act Two of the comedy Two Roses, by James Albery (1838 - 1889), produced at London's Vaudeville Theatre in 1870.
Grant is an impecunious 'distressed' gentleman, living in a rural cottage with his daughters Ida and Lottie - the "roses" of the title. When the inheritance of an estate restores Digby's prosperity he forbids his daughters to encourage their admirers whom he now thinks socially inferior. In Act Three news arrives that the correct beneficiary is not Digby but Lottie's beloved Caleb Deecie, causing, her father to accept both his daughters' sweethearts as suitors.
The cut and style of this costume reflect Digby's temporary period of affluence.
Irving became a professional actor in 1856, and learned his trade in regional theatres until 1866, when he came to London. He joined the Lyceum Theatre company under the management of H. L. Bateman in 1871, winning great acclaim that year for his psychologically developed characterisation of the guilt-ridden inn-keeper Mathias in Leopold Lewis's melodrama The Bells. He took on the responsibilities of 'actor-manager' in 1878 when he assumed the management of the Lyceum, and remained there until 1902, enjoying star status with his leading lady Ellen Terry (1847-1928). Irving produced a diverse range of old and new plays at the Lyceum, including Shakespeare, historical drama, and literary adaptations. His tireless work to elevate the status of the theatrical profession was rewarded in 1895 when he became the first actor ever to receive a knighthood for services to the Theatre.
Irving specialised in spectacularly staged productions with large casts of performers. He commissioned designers and composers to create appropriate scenery, costume and incidental music, played by a full orchestra. Although electric lighting was available from the 1880s, Irving preferred the softer effects of gas, with lime light to focus attention at key points in the play. Irving toured complete productions outside London, taking the full company, scenery and costumes throughout the United Kingdom and across the United States and Canada. The development of the railway system made his the first generation able to achieve this level of touring productions.
Grant is an impecunious 'distressed' gentleman, living in a rural cottage with his daughters Ida and Lottie - the "roses" of the title. When the inheritance of an estate restores Digby's prosperity he forbids his daughters to encourage their admirers whom he now thinks socially inferior. In Act Three news arrives that the correct beneficiary is not Digby but Lottie's beloved Caleb Deecie, causing, her father to accept both his daughters' sweethearts as suitors.
The cut and style of this costume reflect Digby's temporary period of affluence.
Irving became a professional actor in 1856, and learned his trade in regional theatres until 1866, when he came to London. He joined the Lyceum Theatre company under the management of H. L. Bateman in 1871, winning great acclaim that year for his psychologically developed characterisation of the guilt-ridden inn-keeper Mathias in Leopold Lewis's melodrama The Bells. He took on the responsibilities of 'actor-manager' in 1878 when he assumed the management of the Lyceum, and remained there until 1902, enjoying star status with his leading lady Ellen Terry (1847-1928). Irving produced a diverse range of old and new plays at the Lyceum, including Shakespeare, historical drama, and literary adaptations. His tireless work to elevate the status of the theatrical profession was rewarded in 1895 when he became the first actor ever to receive a knighthood for services to the Theatre.
Irving specialised in spectacularly staged productions with large casts of performers. He commissioned designers and composers to create appropriate scenery, costume and incidental music, played by a full orchestra. Although electric lighting was available from the 1880s, Irving preferred the softer effects of gas, with lime light to focus attention at key points in the play. Irving toured complete productions outside London, taking the full company, scenery and costumes throughout the United Kingdom and across the United States and Canada. The development of the railway system made his the first generation able to achieve this level of touring productions.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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Title | Henry Irving costume (generic title) |
Brief description | Theatrical ensemble, coat, and waistcoat worn by Henry Irving as Digby Grant (in prosperity) in Two Roses by James Albery, 1870. |
Credit line | Given by the Royal Shakespeare Company |
Historical context | Museum of London note: 'The play was later revived in 1882.' |
Summary | Henry Irving (1838-1905) wore this costume as Digby Grant in Act Two of the comedy Two Roses, by James Albery (1838 - 1889), produced at London's Vaudeville Theatre in 1870. Grant is an impecunious 'distressed' gentleman, living in a rural cottage with his daughters Ida and Lottie - the "roses" of the title. When the inheritance of an estate restores Digby's prosperity he forbids his daughters to encourage their admirers whom he now thinks socially inferior. In Act Three news arrives that the correct beneficiary is not Digby but Lottie's beloved Caleb Deecie, causing, her father to accept both his daughters' sweethearts as suitors. The cut and style of this costume reflect Digby's temporary period of affluence. Irving became a professional actor in 1856, and learned his trade in regional theatres until 1866, when he came to London. He joined the Lyceum Theatre company under the management of H. L. Bateman in 1871, winning great acclaim that year for his psychologically developed characterisation of the guilt-ridden inn-keeper Mathias in Leopold Lewis's melodrama The Bells. He took on the responsibilities of 'actor-manager' in 1878 when he assumed the management of the Lyceum, and remained there until 1902, enjoying star status with his leading lady Ellen Terry (1847-1928). Irving produced a diverse range of old and new plays at the Lyceum, including Shakespeare, historical drama, and literary adaptations. His tireless work to elevate the status of the theatrical profession was rewarded in 1895 when he became the first actor ever to receive a knighthood for services to the Theatre. Irving specialised in spectacularly staged productions with large casts of performers. He commissioned designers and composers to create appropriate scenery, costume and incidental music, played by a full orchestra. Although electric lighting was available from the 1880s, Irving preferred the softer effects of gas, with lime light to focus attention at key points in the play. Irving toured complete productions outside London, taking the full company, scenery and costumes throughout the United Kingdom and across the United States and Canada. The development of the railway system made his the first generation able to achieve this level of touring productions. |
Bibliographic reference | Holmes, Martin. Stage Costumes and Accessories in the London Museum. London : HMSO, 1968
no.19 |
Other number | 56.4/34a&b - Museum of London number |
Collection | |
Accession number | S.2747:1, 2-2010 |
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Record created | November 4, 2010 |
Record URL |
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