Henry Irving and The Victorian Theatre

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Theatre, Performing Arts
Cover of the book Henry Irving and The Victorian Theatre by Madeleine Bingham, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Madeleine Bingham ISBN: 9781317386117
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 16, 2015
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Madeleine Bingham
ISBN: 9781317386117
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 16, 2015
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Globalisation of Indian Business by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book The Operational Role of the OSCE in South-Eastern Europe by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Philosophy, Rhetoric, and the End of Knowledge by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Simulating Societies by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Urban Retrofitting for Sustainability by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Undernutrition and Public Policy in India by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book The Europeanization of National Foreign Policies towards Latin America by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book The Political Theory of Global Citizenship by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Development Education in Japan by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Siblings in Development by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Getting Dressed by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Writing Across Worlds by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Eroding the Language of Freedom by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book Conflict and Cohesion in Families by Madeleine Bingham
Cover of the book The Structural Study of Myth and Totemism by Madeleine Bingham
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy