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Chris Scott
Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 209
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 11:46 am: |       |
I found this ad in the Washington Star of 27 March 1888 and thought it might be of interest.
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Chris Scott
Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 210
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 11:49 am: | |
And this from 19 November 1887 (same paper)
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Chris Scott
Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 227
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 11:55 am: | |
I have been doing some research on J&H play and am posting some articles below> these show how popular it was and how many actors attempted the part. The long article gives a biography of Mansfield and explains how his rivalry with another actor, Bandmann, caused him to bring the play to London in 1888 earlier than originally intended.
Atchison Daily Globe (Kansas) 16 September 1887
Mr. Robert Louis Stevenson, author of the famous tale "Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll" is coming over from England to be present when Mr. Mansfield produces the drama of that name in New York.
Marion Daily Star (Ohio) 11 June 1887
What Was Said by Actors of Note at a Recent Benefit
Much of their talk was commonplace, of course, but at length somebody spoke of an account, published that morning, of Richard Mansfield's attempt to represent the dual character of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. the former is a good and rotund man in the story, you will remember, with a benevolent sort of face, while the latter is a wizened scoundrel, with an ugly, evil visage. It was said that Mansfield had undertaken to show the contrasted faces by means of contortion alternated with calm placidity. In the slang of the age, he "mugged it."
Atchison Daily Globe (Kansas) 20 April 1888
On Monday and Tuesday evenings of next week, G. M. Wood, an English actor, will present a version of Stevenson's novel, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" at the opera house. On the bills the play is announced as weird and startling, which is certainly true if it is anything like the novel. The story is that of a man leading a double life, who appears as a refined gentleman in the character of Dr. Jekyll and a great villain as Mr. Hyde.
Atchison Daily Globe (Kansas) 23 April 1888
The Kansas City Journal of yesterday contained a long review of the performance of George M. Wood. who appeared there during the past week in his own version of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and pronounces him both an actor and a playwright. He will commence a two night's engagement at the opera house this evening.
Atchison Daily Globe (Kansas) 24 April 1888
"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was presented at the theatre last night to a very small but appreciative audience. It will be repeated this evening.
Atchison Daily Globe (Kansas) 8 May 1888
Dr. Robert Morse, a Presbyterian minister of Washington D.C., in the delivery of a lecture at Hiawatha on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" Saturday night, was so overcome by the power of his impersonation of Mr. Hyde, that he could not proceed with the lecture and the audience was dismissed. A correspondent says of the circumstances: "In changing from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde, he quickly disordered his flowing locks, crooked every bone in his body, held his breath until his face was red and distorted, and then limped about the pulpit, snarling and snapping like a wild beast. He will attempt to give the lecture again on Tuesday night."
Atchison Daily Globe (Kansas) 20 July 1888
MANSFIELD AHEAD NOW
But Bandmann May have New Surprises in Store For Him.
Theatrical people are a good deal amused over the recent coup of Mr. Richard Mansfield, who suddenly departed from New York with his theatrical company for Europe, in order to head off Herr Bandmann, who intended to produce "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" there ahead of him. Mr. Mansfield was born in London thirty one years ago, and his great artistic gifts came to him by the laws of heredity for his mother, Mme. Erminin Rudersdorff, was one of the rarest lyric artists of her time. Sixteen years ago Mme. Rudersdorff and her two sons came to America, the mother then being under engagement to Mr. P. S. Gilmore to sing at the Boston Peace Jubilee. He was in his 20th year when Mme. Rudersdorff decided that he should enter upon a commercial career, and secured him a position in the great dry goods house of Jordan and Marsh, in Boston.
He did not continue long at this, however, and when he was 21 went to London to study art. He acquired a reputation for mimicry rather than art, which brought him to the attention of the German, Reeds, and he was regularly engaged at a good salary to appear with Corney Grain. On the first night, worn out by exhaustion and frenzied with the excitement of his new position, which meant either a career or abject failure, he fainted and failed. But he was given another trial, made a success, and got what was more valuable - his name before the press and public in a way that attracted the attention of the London managers.
Then followed a time of upward work. He played Brigard in "Frou frou", the Admiral and other leading parts in Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Under D'Oyly Carte's management he appeared to New York six years ago. At the end of the first season on the American stage Richard Mansfield found himself a star.
Mr. Mansfield's recent achievement in his presentation of his marvelous psychological studies of Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is universally conceded to be among the few really remarkable stage creations contemporaneous history has afforded.
Daniel E. Bandmann, who was a star when Mansfield was in his swaddling clothes, became a rival to Mr. Mansfield in this wise: Bandmann sent a request for tickets for himself and friends to Mansfield's performance. Mansfield replied that he didn't give tickets to dime museum people - Bandmann has of late played at "popular prices" - whereupon Herr Bandmann determined to play the part himself.
Bandmann was born at Cassel, Germany, and made his debut at the age of 18 at the Court theatre of New Strelitz. After making reputation in the Shakespearean drama in Germany he came to America, and for the first time played in English, as Shylock, at Niblo's garden, New York, jan. 15, 1863. For about five years he starred. He pleased Edwin Forrest, and was selected by him to play hamlet in the tercentenary birthday celebration at Philadelphia. Feb. 17, 1869, he appeared at the Lyceum Theatre, London. and created a strong impression in "Narcisse."
In 1877 he played Hamlet and Othello in Berlin. In 1884 Bandmann began an engagement at the Thalia Theatre, New York. Some seasons ago he adopted the circuit of cheap theatres.
Bandmann, having made arrangements to play the celebrated double character in England, secured a London theatre in order to open ahead of Mansfield, who was to have opened at Irving's Lyceum Theatre on Sept.3. Mansfield's going sooner is to outwit the outwitter.
Mitchell Daily Republican (South Dakota) 23 November 1888
The Clifford Dramatic Company
Yankton Press: The opera house was filled at an early hour Tuesday night to witness the first presentation in this city by the Edwin Clifford Dramatic Company, of the weird, blood curdling drama "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde." This dramamtisation is very different from Richard Mansfield's and is in many respects an improvement. Edwin Clifford in the dual role of the good Dr. Jekyll and the monster Hyde carried the house with him and received much merited applause. The changes made by this artist were startling in the extreme - one moment the benevolent doctor, his very presence a benediction, the next instant a fiend that would shame Dante's inferno - had usurped his place, and with harsh, guttural voice, protruding fangs, disheveled hair and leering look, froze trhe auditor. There was nod enying the fact that this is a horrible spectacle - but still the public will crowd to see it.
The comedy element is strong and brought down the house - showing that the drama relieved by a background of humor. The support of Miss Augusta VanDoren, Messrs. Page, Young, Beith and others, could not be improved on. We have got the craze and for the next few days will be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on the brain.
Waukesha Freeman (Wisconsin) 4 October 1888
Entertainments During the Week
"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" attracted a good audience to the Opera House last Thursday evening, and everybody was satisfied with the extent and variety of shivers which the presentation provoked. Mr.George Ober is a competent actor and was supported by a good company. The play, while full of the terrible, is not so completely somber and depressing as the former dramamtization of the story which is presented by Mansfield.
Waukesha Freeman (Wisconsin) 15 November 1888
The following message was sent to Waukesha relative to Mr. Tanner's great performance of Dr Jeykill (sic) and Mr. Hyde at the Prairie du Chien recently:
"Edwin Tanner here last night to good business. His impersonations of Dr Jeykill and Mr. Hyde are wonderful. Best attraction we have had this season. Splendid support. They deserve crowded houses.
J.G. SCHWEITZER."
Mr. Tanner will appear at Carney's Opera House, Saturday evening, Nov. 17th.
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