1880s Wilson Barrett

barrett s production of claudian @ royal lyceum theatre, edinburgh



poster hoodman blind

barrett born farming family in essex. remembered actor of handsome appearance (despite small stature) , powerful voice. made first appearance on stage @ halifax in 1864, , played in provinces alone , wife, caroline heath, in east lynne. married in 1866, having 2 sons, frank , alfred, , 3 daughters, ellen, katherine , dorothea (dollie).

barrett capitalized on success actor start career producer. after managerial experience @ grand theatre leeds , elsewhere, in 1879 took on management of old court theatre, in following year introduced madame helena modjeska london in adaptation of maria stuart (by schiller), productions of adrienne lecouvreur, la dame aux camélias , other plays.

in 1881, wilson barrett took on refurbished princess s theatre, melodramatic productions enjoyed great success (if not quite as before), attendance being highest ever theatre. there barrett presented lights o london, , silver king, regarded successful melodrama of 19th century in england. debuted on 16 november 1882, barrett wilfred denver. played part 3 hundred nights without break, , repeated success in w. g. wills s claudian.

in 1885 , henry arthur jones produced hoodman blind , in 1886 co-operated clement scott in sister mary. in 1886 barrett left princess s theatre, , in same year made visit america, repeated in later years.

in 1884 barrett had appeared in hamlet, promptly return melodrama. not find success in shakespearian role, except in role of mercutio in romeo , juliet.

though barrett had occasional seasons in london acted chiefly in provinces, company being 1 of successful of decade, receiving £2,000 average yearly profit grand theatre leeds. brother , nephew part of company, , grandson join them eventually.

his productions not immune accident. melodrama romany rye scheduled open @ theatre royal, exeter on 5 september 1887. in middle of performance, gas lighting ignited gauze, fire broke out backstage, , curtain collapsed.

according jacob adler, wilson barrett famous actor on london stage of 1880s.