1890s: The Sign of the Cross Wilson Barrett

wilson barrett , maud jeffries: sign of cross (1895)

by 1890s, london stage coming under new influences, , wilson barrett s vogue in melodrama had waned, leaving him in financial difficulties. 1894 toured united states, including american , knickerbocker theatres of broadway.

still there in 1895, barrett found fortune again production become successful, historical tragedy sign of cross—which produced in united states @ grand opera house, st. louis, missouri on 28 march 1895; in united kingdom, @ grand theatre, leeds, on 26 august 1895; in london, @ lyric theatre, london on 4 january 1896; , in australia, @ majesty s theatre, sydney on 8 may 1897—in barrett played marcus superbus, old roman patrician of years of nero, falls in love young woman, mercia (originally played maud jeffries) , converts christianity her, both sacrificing lives in arena lions. plot in ways resembles contemporary novel quo vadis, , may have been unofficial adaptation of it, though barrett never acknowledged this.

the theatre crowded audiences largely composed of people outside ordinary circle of playgoers, shepherded enthusiastic local clergymen. barrett tried repeat success more plays of religious type, though not equal effect, , several of later attempts failures.

at turn of century co-founded company became waddingtons, theatre-focused printing firm.