Celebration in Honor of Charles Wyndham at the Lyceum

Logistics

1896 May 1, Friday
At the Lyceum, Criterion and the not-yet-opened Hotel Cecil

Related Events

At the Lyceum in the afternoon
At the Criterion in the afternoon
Supper (afterwards?) at the not-yet-opened Hotel Cecil

Who Was Present

Performers People Present at the Criterion

Seymour Hicks
Harry Nichols
J. L. Shine
Kate Rorke
Dorothea Baird
Annie Hughes
Maude Millett
Fay Davis
Charles Wyndham
Esmé Beringer
Vera Beringer
Mabel Beardsley
Enid Spencer Brunton
Miss Mabel Berry
Fay Davis
Hettie Dene
Vane Featherston
Gwendolen Floyd
Lily Hanbury
Hilda Hanbury
Ada Marius
Evelyn Millard
Decima Moore
Eva Moore
Mabel Lewis
Mona Oram
Katie Seymour
Emily Brinsley Sheridan
Minnie Terry
Doris Templeton
C. W. Somerset
E. Dagnal
W. Blakeley
Alfred Maltby
E. W. Gardiner
J. H. Barnes
Kenneth Douglas
E. Vining (Miller)
Emily Miller
Mary Moore
George Grossmith
C. P. Little
Charles Cartright
E. J. Lonnen
Edward Righton
John L. Shine
W. Blakeley
G. W. Anson
H. De Lange
Brandon Thomas
Mr. Edmonds
Mr. H. Paulton
Alfred Bishop
Tom Thorne
Florence St. John
Decima Moore
Carlotta Addison
Sophie Larkin

Guests Invited to the Supper at the Hotel Cecil

the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn
the Marquis and Marchioness of Granby
the Marquis and Marchioness of Tweeddale
the Earl and Countess of Arran
the Viscount and Viscountess of Galway
Mr Forbes Robertson
Lord and Lady Kilmorey
Lord and Lady Lathom
Lord Sandwich
Mrs Patrick Campbell
Lord Cork
Mr and Mrs George Alexander
Lord Dungarvon
Lady Duncannon
Mr and Mrs Arthur Bourchier
Lord and Lady Westbury
Sir Arthur Sullivan
Lord and Lady William Nevill
Mr and Mrs Bancroft
Lord and Ladv Rosslyn
Lady Violet Greville
Lord and Lady Esher
Lord and Lady Russell
Lady Hothfield
Lord and Lady Morris
Sir Francis and Lady Jeune
Mr and Mrs Beerbohm Tree
Sir Seymour and Lady King
Sir John Puleston
Lady and Miss Grant
Lady and Miss Mackenzie
Admiral Sir Reginald M'Donald
Mr and Mrs Joseph Hatton
Mr Justice and Lady Barnes
Sir Spencer Ponsonby Fane
Sir Francis Knollys
Sir Arthur and Lady Haliburton
Sir Edwin and Lady Arnold
Sir John and Lady Heron Maxwell
Mr and Mrs Cyril Maude
Sir Lepel and Lady Griffin
Mr and Mrs Clement Scott
Sir Arthur and Lady Blomfield
Sir F. Milner
Sir Walter De Souza
General, Mrs and Miss Swaine
Signor and Madame Arditi
Sir Douglas Straight
Sir W. and Lady Houldsworth
Sir George and Lady Lewis
Sir John and Lady Monckton
M. and Madame Blumenthal
Sir Henry and Lady Tuson
Sir Frank and Lady Lockwood
Sir Augustus and Lady Harris
Colonel and Mrs FitzGeorge
Sir Blundell and Lady Maple
Sir William and Lady Priestley
Lieut.-Colonel Arthur Collins
Colonel Newnham-Davis
Right Hon. Mr and Mrs Chamberlain
Mr Alfred De Rothschild
Captain and Mrs Silver
Captain and Mrs Sandford
Major and Mrs Patton-Bethune
Colonel Edgar Larking
Mr and Mrs Asquith
Captain and Mrs Somerset
Mr Hermann Vezin
Mr and Mrs Labouchere
Mr Bret Harte
Mr and Mrs Wilson
Mr and Mrs Farjeon
Mr and Mrs E. W. Gardiner
Mr and Mrs Lesage
Mr and Mrs Orchardson
Mr Henry Hamilton
Mr and Mrs Reuben Sassoon
Mr G. R. Sims
Mr and Mrs Henry Arthur Jones
Mr and Mrs F. C. Burnand
Mr and Mrs Oscar Beringer
Captain Wombwell
Mr and Mrs A. W. Pinero
Mr and Mrs Carl Meyer
Mrs Hodgson Burnett
Mr and Mrs William Yardley
Miss Irene Vanbrugh
Mr and Mrs T. P. O'Connor
Miss Esther Palliser
Mrs Ronalds, Fanny Ronalds
Mr Alfred Beit
Mr and Mrs J. H. M'Carthy
Mr and Mrs Michael Gunn
Mr and Mrs Haddon Chambers
Mr and Mrs Faudell Phillips
Major Coventry
Mr Coningsby Disraeli
Mr and Mrs Godfrey Pearse
Mrs Charles Matthews
Mr and Mrs Brough
Mr and Mrs Louis N. Parker
Mr Murray Carson
Mr Philip Burne-Jones
Mr Johannes Wolff
Mr Laurence Irving
Mr Wilson Barrett
Mr and Mrs Hermann Klein
Mr and Mrs Henry Lucy
Miss Fanny Brough
Mr and Mrs Ivan Caryll
Miss Clo Graves
M. Tivadar Nachez
Mr and Mrs James Fernandez
Mr and Mrs George Edwardes
Mr and Mrs Brandon Thomas
Mr and Mrs Harry Nicholls
Mr and Mrs Cecil Raleigh
Mr and Mrs Barrington Foote
Mr and Mrs Weedon Grossmith
Mrs John Wood
Miss Rose Leclercq
Mr Newton and Lady Lilian Ogle
Sir William and Lady Robinson
Mr and Mrs Willard
Mr and Mrs G. Redford
Mr James R. Roosevelt
Mr and Mrs Marjoribanks
Mr and Mrs Charles Cartwright
Mr and Mrs R. C. Carton
Miss Dorothea Baird
Mr Hamilton Aïde
Mr Gilbert Farquhar
Hon. Aubrey Fitz-Clarence
Mrs and the Misses Heather-Bigge
Mr and Mrs F. Horner
Mr Penley
Miss Kate Phillips
Mr and Mrs Seymour Hicks
Mr Tom Thorne
Mr Lionel Monckton

Not Present

Mr and Mrs Kendal
Toole
John Hare
Ellen Terry
Henry Irving

Anthology

At the Lyceum

<quote>The gold cigar box presented at the Lyceum to Mr Charles Wyndham on Friday afternoon, May 1st, by Mr Comyns Carr, on behalf of the actor-manager's friends and comrades, is without embellishment of any kind save the monogram "C. W." in diamonds on the lid. The colour is dead gold, the precious metal being 18-carat. The box, which may be said to be magnificent in its simplicity, somewhat resembles that presented by the dramatic profession to the Prince of Wales a few years since. It was designed and manufactured by the Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Company, of 112, Regent-street, within the space of five days. Nearly forty ounces of gold were used in the making. The inscription on inside of lid is as follows: — "To Charles Wyndham, from his friends and comrades, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of his career as a manager in London."

The following is the full text of Mr Charles Wyndham's speech in acknowledging the presentation on the 1st inst.: —

"Your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, my dear Carr, my dear friends and comrades, — For unique occasions there should be developed a unique language, and I venture to think that when a man is unexpectedly called upon to address simultaneously two differently constituted audiences when he looked forward to addressing only one, an occasion is created which is unique, meriting language unique, if not strong. But as poor humanity can only have recourse to current terms to express emotion, I do not know how I can adequately reveal to you the depth and sincerity of my gratitude. Even Shakespeare himself, on one occasion, could only express such feeling by thanks (to audience), thanks (to Mr Carr), and again thanks (to actors). But, perhaps, I may succeed in disclosing what lies beneath the surface in me if I disclose what I see beneath the surface in yourselves. I see the forms and features of a kind and sympathetic audience and of a community of fellow-workers in art. But I see much more than this. I see twenty years of kind and sympathetic audiences. I see my first night in management and all its succeeding first nights, when I have been cheered with the hearty good-will of many of you before me and the hearty co-operation from many of you beside me. The Norwegian dramatist tells us that every man carries within himself a ghost; so does the audience. You have within you — visible to me, though not to yourselves — the phantoms of your predecessors. I regard you as representing and incorporating them. When I speak to you I speak to them — to those who are absent as well as to those who are present; to those I have never known as well as to those whose acquaintance it is my privilege to enjoy--one and all I am trying to thank. Each of them and each of you have at some time or other been a friend, for when across the footlights two minds have been drawn together by the magic of communicative thought, those two, if only for a moment, have been friends. In the lack of imaginative communion the actor is paralysed; in its existence he grows and expands. Judge, then, for yourselves the measure of my gratitude to you. But if such is my sentiment towards you, what is my sentiment towards these — my fellow artists? I am sure you will acquit me of disrespect when I say that, glorious and welcome as is your sympathy, it must be accounted vain and hollow unless endorsed by them. How, therefore, can I thank you, my dear friends, for so charmingly and sweetly rallying round me to-day? I owe you all a deep debt of gratitude — an equal debt. I dare not particularise, and I am sure the greatest of you, under such circumstances, would only like to stand upon the level with the least. What shall I say to you, my dear Carr, the spokesman of so many good and true friends - the man whom I have known for so many years; so, many, indeed, that I daresay you have forgotten our first chat in life on a memorable after-dinner moonlight drive from Hampton Court? But I remember that the silken thread of friendship which links that day to this has never once been strained. How can I thank you for the graceful manner in which you have discharged the duty imposed upon you? And how can I thank you, my dear friends and colleagues, for this very substantial, very handsome testimony of your regard? Believe me, you have made me very happy. The cigarettes which this box will hold may, like our ambitions, all end in smoke; but the sentiment you have inspired will be as lasting and as sterling as the golden metal which will enclose them. A debt of gratitude is due also to many who by force of circumstances are unable to be present. I hold telegrams in my hands from too many to enumerate, but I may, perhaps, mention Mr and Mrs Kendal; my friend and your friend, dear old Toole; and cables from a still greater distance, from your favourite and the object of my great admiration — John Hare; and last, but not least, from Ellen Terry and Henry Irving, I think it peculiarly appropriate that, through the courtesy of Messrs Forbes Robertson and Harrison, one-half of the celebration takes place in this temple of art, for Irving and I began life together, cooled our heels till they were almost frozen at managerial doors, worked together, rose in life together. Do not fear that I am going to trouble you with a retrospect of the past; I prefer to look to the future, and indulge in the reflection that though twenty years of management have given me much to look back upon, there is still left me much to look forward to. I hope to see you often across the footlights, and I am delighted to think that, barring human chances, the curtain which will fall to-night upon the drama that you and I are acting will not be a final curtain, but only an act-drop serving to divide one section of a career, one stage of friendship, from the next."</quote> (CWCTheEra, Cols. 2–3)

Performance at the Criterion

<quote>So widespread was the public interest in the Charles Wyndham celebration that, when the theatrical history of the nineteenth century comes to be written, the dramatic events of May 1st, 1896, should have a chapter to themselves. We have already chronicled the brilliant function at the Lyceum in the afternoon; scarcely less interesting was the evening portion of the celebration at the Criterion. The exceptional importance of the occasion was marked by the presence of the Prince of Wales and the Lord Chief Justice of England, and distinguished members of the world of art, literature, and science occupied the stalls and dress-circle. There were a number of pretty "highwaywomen," who with the sweetest manners possible levied toll at the entrance to the stalls. Here it may be as well to put on record that the sum realised by the programme sales — at the Lyceum and the Criterion — reached £120. The charming volunteers whose persistency and attractiveness did so much to bring about such a result included Miss Esmé Beringer, Miss Vera Beringer, Miss Mabel Beardsley, Miss Enid Spencer Brunton, Miss Mabel Berry, Miss Fay Davis, Miss Hettie Dene, Miss Vane Featherston, Miss Gwendolen Floyd, Miss Lily Hanbury, Miss Hilda Hanbury, Miss Ada Marius, Miss Evelyn Millard, Miss Decima Moore, Miss Eva Moore, Miss Mabel Lewis, Miss Mona Oram, Miss Katie Seymour, Miss Emily Brinsley Sheridan, Miss Minnie Terry, and Miss Doris Templeton. The exceptionally early hour of the commencement of the bill — seven o'clock — was arranged specially to meet the convenience of the actors and actresses whose other engagements prevented them taking part later in the evening, and it is seldom indeed in theatrical annals that the audience is "played in" by such a distinguished cast as appeared in the farce by T. J. Williams entitled

Cyril Dashwood . . . Mr SEYMOUR HICKS
Mr Prattleton Primrose . . . Mr HARRY NICHOLS
Squire Brushleigh . . . Mr J. L. SHINE
Rose . . . Miss KATE RORKE
Sylvia . . . Miss DOROTHEA BAIRD
Minuetta . . . Miss ANNIE HUGHES
Musidora . . . Miss MAUDE MILLETT

Arabella . . . Miss FAY DAVIS

The most amusing incident in the performance of this really old-fashioned specimen of curtain-raisers was a slip of the text made by Mr Seymour Hicks in young Cyril Dashwood's love scene with the demure Rose (Miss Kate Rorke). He referred to himself as wife instead of husband, and neither he nor Miss Rorke could quite conceal their laughter, and the spirit of mirth communicated itself to the audience. Mr Harry Nicholls as Mr Prattleton Primrose, whose matrimonial fate is so uncertain, was amusingly made up, and quite entered into the spirit of the farce, Mr J. L. Shine being an excellent Squire Brushleigh. With Miss Dorothea Baird as Sylvia, Miss Annie Hughes as Minuetta, Miss Maude Millett as Musidora, and Miss Fay Davis as Arabella, the revival of the farce was quite justified, and the delightful acting of each of these ladies would have made a worse piece interesting. In the Helen and Modus scene from The Hunchback, which followed the farce, with what archness and coquetry did Miss Marion Terry invest the part of Helen - so much, indeed, was this the case that Sheridan Knowles's lines seemed to glow with new life. Mr Leonard Boyne acted with the necessary stolidity and absent-mindedness as Modus, and his remark that Helen's nose was Grecian — the remark having extra point given to it by Miss Marion Terry's stress on the word "Indeed!" in reply — caused a ripple of merriment to agitate the house. Both were recalled at the conclusion of the scene. There was then a rather long wait, but at last the curtain rose on the drawing-room at Simon Ingot's, the first scene of Tom Robertson's

"DAVID GARRICK."

David Garrick . . . Mr CHARLES WYNDHAM
Simon Ingot . . . Mr C. W. SOMERSET
Squire Chivey . . . Mr E. DAGNAL
Smith . . . Mr W. BLAKELEY
Brown . . . Mr ALFRED MALTBY
Jones . . . Mr E. W. GARDINER
Garrick's Servant . . . Mr J. H. BARNES
Ingot's Servant . . . Mr KENNETH DOUGLAS
Mrs Smith . . . Miss E. VINING
Miss Araminta Brown . . . Miss EMILY MILLER

Ada Ingot . . . Miss MARY MOORE

There was the hush of expectation in the air, and when the worthy alderman's servant announced "Mr David Garrick" and Mr Wyndham walked with springy step upon the stage enthusiastic cheers rent the air, the greeting lasting quite a minute. It was at once seen that the Criterion actor-manager, notwithstanding the exceptional demands upon his endurance that had been made in the earlier part of the day, was in excellent fettle. In Garrick's interview with the Alderman Mr Wyndham was subdued and gentle, evincing that old-world courtesy which is of the very essence of the character. The great scene of the second act was attacked with irresistible energy, and there was no greater moment in Mr Wyndham's delineation of the part than the momentary revulsion of feeling when Garrick, loathing himself, gives rein to his natural love for the heroine. There was the customary fervour, too, in the interview between the actor and his romantic adorer in the third act. Miss Mary Moore was all gentleness as Ada Ingot. In the first act she seemed to be in that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts bring sad thoughts to the mind. The distress of the love-sick girl in the second act was very naturally expressed, the tenderness and filial devotion of Ada in the final secene between father and daughter being indicated, too, with much truth. Mr C. W. Somerset, an excellent actor of old men, was discreet, careful, and finished as Alderman Ingot, the impersonation having something of the body that we look for in eighteenth century characters. A clever piece of work, too, was Mr E. Dagnall's Squire Chivey. It is so easy to exaggerate the boorishness and bibulousness of the part. His was a natural, easy rendering of an exceedingly difficult character. Mr W. Blakeley made Smith's remarks as amusingly disagreeable as possible; Mr Alfred Maltby as the inebriated Brown was droll; and Mr E. W. Gardiner made the few points possible in the part of the stuttering Jones. Miss E. Vining as Mrs Smith, the mother of seven blessed children and "the baby," evoked laughter; and Miss Emily Miller cut an exceedingly whimsical figure as Miss Araminta Brown. Mr J. H. Barnes was content to play the very small part of Garrick's servant, Mr Kenneth Douglas being Ingot's servant. The curtain was raised several times, both after the second and the third acts. The proceedings of the evening came to a conclusion with a performance of the second act of Sheridan's farce

"THE CRITIC."

Puff . . . Mr GEORGE GROSSMITH
Dangle . . . Mr C. P. LITTLE
Sneer . . . Mr CHARLES CARTRIGHT
Don Whiskerandos . . . Mr E. J. LONNEN
Earl of Leicester . . . Mr EDWARD RIGHTON
Sir Walter Raleigh . . . Mr JOHN L. SHINE
Lord Burleigh . . . Mr W. BLAKELEY
Governor of Tilbury Fort . . . Mr G. W. ANSON
Master of the Horse . . . Mr H. DE LANGE
Sir Christopher Hatton . . . Mr BRANDON THOMAS
Prompter . . . Mr EDMONDS
Sentinels . . . Mr H. PAULTON
. . . Mr ALFRED BISHOP
Beefeater . . . Mr Tom THORNE
Tilburina . . . Miss FLORENCE ST. JOHN
First Niece . . . Miss DECIMA MOORE
Second Niece . . . Miss CARLOTTA ADDISON
Confidante . . . Miss SOPHIE LARKIN

? "Gag" of a very up-to-date nature seems to be considered "the thing" in festival representations of Sheridan's piece, and Friday night's performance was no exception to the established precedent. There was no greater sinner in this respect than Mr George Grossmith as Puff. He even went so far as to interpret Lord Burleigh's mysterious thoughts to run as follows: — "We don't want to fight, but, gadzooks, if we do," &c. Mr E. J. Lonnen as Don Whiskerandos and Miss Florence St. John, a really good Tilburina, got up a very amusing impromptu dispute between them as to professional jealousy; and Mr Righton's leadenweighted delivery as the Earl of Leicester was not the least whimsical part of the performance. Mr Brandon Thomas and Mr J. L. Shine were stolidly impassible as Sir Christopher Hatton and Sir Walter Raleigh, and the traditional comic business between the sentinels was conscientiously introduced by Mr Harry Paulton and Mr Alfred Bishop. Mr Charles Cartwright's Sneer and Miss Sophie Larkin's confidante were other amusing and clever impersonations. It was nearing midnight when, in answer to continual calls for a speech, Mr Wyndham came forward and said: - "Ladies and gentlemen, - At this late hour of the evening it is not my intention to inflict a speech upon you. I have great pleasure, however, in stating that through your assistance and great kindness I shall be able to hand over to a charity in which I am much interested - the Actors' Benevolent Fund - a cheque for £2,300."</quote> (CWCTheEra, Cols. 1–2)

Dinner at the Hotel Cecil

<quote>Mr and Mrs Charles Wyndham entertained a large number of friends at supper at the new Hotel Cecil on the 1st inst. The courtyard and corridors of the hotel were splendidly decorated with flowers, and brilliantly illuminated by the electric light. The reception took place in the room which will be the public restaurant of the hotel, to the music of the band of the Grenadier Guards. ...

Supper was laid in the suite of Indian rooms on the ground floor of the hotel. Mr Wyndham's health was proposed by the Lord Chief Justice, and was drunk with enthusiasm by the assembled guests.</quote> (CWCTheEra, Cols. 2–3)

Questions and Notes

Bibliography

CWCTheEra "Charles Wyndham Celebration." The Era 9 May 1896, Saturday: 11 [of 32], Cols. 1–3. http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000053/18960509/017/0011 (accessed December 2014).