Beaver hat for Irving in 'Olivia' thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Beaver hat for Irving in 'Olivia'

Theatre Costume
1885 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Henry Irving (1838-1905) wore this hat as Dr Primrose in Olivia by William Gorman Wills (1828–1891). The play was an adaptation of the novel The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith (1730–1774). Unusually for Irving, his role as the Vicar, Dr Primrose, was secondary to the starring role of Olivia, played by Ellen Terry (1847-1928). The character of a benign, gentle, elderly parent was outside Irving’s usual range, but the play was a great success. First produced in 1885, Irving and Terry were still performing it as late as 1900.

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. 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
TitleBeaver hat for Irving in 'Olivia' (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Felted beaver fur
Brief description
Beaver hat, worn by Henry Irving as Dr. Primrose, the Vicar in 'Olivia', 1885.
Physical description
Black felted tricorne hat. The three sections of the tricorn brim were originally fastened to the crown with length of cord which passed through the brim and the crown and were then secured on the outside. The cords on two of the three sections of the tricorne have since torn through the crown leaving the brim to fall flat. Lined with black sateen. Remains of original Henry Heath Logo stamped on lining, just visible.
Dimensions
  • Part 2 hat length: 49cm
  • Part 2 hat width: 38cm
  • Part 2 weight: (Note: Packaged in a box with multiple objects which has a cumulative boxed weight of 4.8kg.)
Marks and inscriptions
  • Remains of 'Henry Heath' logo still just visible, this can be compared with the logo visible in S.2791.1-2010.
Credit line
Given by the Royal Shakespeare Company
Summary
Henry Irving (1838-1905) wore this hat as Dr Primrose in Olivia by William Gorman Wills (1828–1891). The play was an adaptation of the novel The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith (1730–1774). Unusually for Irving, his role as the Vicar, Dr Primrose, was secondary to the starring role of Olivia, played by Ellen Terry (1847-1928). The character of a benign, gentle, elderly parent was outside Irving’s usual range, but the play was a great success. First produced in 1885, Irving and Terry were still performing it as late as 1900.

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. 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.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
Holmes, Martin. Stage Costumes and Accessories in the London Museum. London : HMSO, 1968 no.303
Other number
56.4/102b - Museum of London number
Collection
Accession number
S.2791:2-2010

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Record createdNovember 10, 2010
Record URL
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