William John Lawrence

Name: Dictionary of National Biography
Author: William John Lawrence

Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

Summary

“Dictionary of National Biography”, published in 1901, is a work by William John Lawrence. It explores elements such as Beverley, Drury Lane and scenery.

Quotes from Dictionary of National Biography (William John Lawrence)

William John Lawrence, Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

“ In the Christmas of 1855 he provided almost all the scenery for the holiday entertainments both at Drury Lane and at Covent Garden. In December 1862 his brush was employed to excellent advantage on the Princess's Theatre pantomime of ‘Riquet with the Tuft.’ At Drury Lane during the next few years he furnished the mounting for several important Shakespearean revivals, notably for ‘King John,’ ‘Henry IV, Part I,’ and ‘Macbeth,’ as well as for an elaborate production of ‘Comus.’ Between 1868 and 1879 his services appear to have been exclusively devoted to Drury Lane. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William John Lawrence, Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

“ Beverley at an early age developed a remarkable aptitude for drawing, and quickly turned his attention to scene painting. Under his father's management of the Theatre Royal, Manchester, in 1830, he painted a striking scene of the ‘Island of Mist’ for the dramatic romance of ‘The Frozen Hand.’ When in 1831 his father and his brothers Samuel and Robert Roxby [q. v.] took over the control of the Durham circuit, comprising Scarborough, Stockton, Durham, Sunderland, and North and South Shields, Beverley followed their fortunes, and for a few seasons played heavy comedy besides painting scenery. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William John Lawrence, Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

“ A temperate graceful actor, he had more individuality and fewer vices of style than most conventional tragedians. In London he never established his hold, but in one or two large provincial centres, notably Dublin and Birmingham, his following was large and affectionate. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William John Lawrence, Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

“ During 1859 King fulfilled several engagements at the Queen's Theatre, Dublin. On 16 April he played there Serjeant Austerlitz in 'Theresa's Vow,' to the Theresa of his daughter Bessie. On 26 July he was seen as Martin Heywood in the 'Rent Day,' and on 14 Dec. as Estevan in the 'Broken Sword.' On 30 April 1860 he began an important engagement at the City of London Theatre as Hamlet, returning thither in December. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William John Lawrence, Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

“ There he was painter for ‘Rigoletto’ on 16 May, and for many years provided the scenery for the chief operas produced under Gye's rule.
Beverley's memorable association with Drury Lane began under E. T. Smith in 1854, and lasted, with few intermissions, through the successive managements of Falconer, Chatterton, and Sir Augustus Harris, down to 1884. Season after season he executed work of marvellous beauty for the pantomimes at this house. But for some years he continued to work for other theatres at the same time. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William John Lawrence, Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

“ In this play still-life accessories were, for the first time on the British stage, adroitly arranged in harmony with the background, after the manner of the French cycloramas. At the same house in March 1883 he painted for the ‘Storm-beaten’ of Mr. Robert Buchanan, and in the October following for the opera of ‘Rip Van Winkle’ at the Royal Comedy. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William John Lawrence, Dictionary of National Biography (1901)

“ KING, THOMAS CHISWELL (1818–1893) , actor, was born at Twyning, near Tewkesbury, on 24 April 1818. He adopted his wife's maiden name of Chiswell in addition to his own name of Thomas King on his marriage, which took place shortly after he joined the theatrical profession. Apprenticed in his youth to the painting and paper-hanging business at Cheltenham, he acquired a taste for the stage through acting with amateurs, and about 1840 joined the company of Alexander Lee, the ballad composer, to support Mrs. ”

William John Lawrence

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