July 1853

This is part of a local history note on performances at Richmond's Theatre Royale. See the start of this local history note.

Date: 8^th July 1853

Plays:

• Charles Dance, A Wonderful Woman
• George Henry Lewes, The Lawyers

The Company included:

Charles James Mathews (1803 to 1878)

Charles James Mathews was the son of the comedian Charles Mathews. He trained as an architect but took to the stage professionally in 1835, the same year that he replaced his father in the management of London’s Adelphi Theatre. In 1838 he married Lucia Elizabeth Vestris (then his manageress) and , in the same year, the couple toured America, somewhat unsuccessfully. On their return to London, they took over the management of Covent Garden and there stages some brilliant productions, including (in 1841) Boucicault’s London Assurance in which Charles played Dazzle, one of the best characterisations of his career. The couple’s professional triumphs apparently did little to relieve his financial difficulties; by this time he was very heavily in debt. After the death of Madame Vestris in 1856, Charles made extensive tours abroad visiting Australia and India. He excelled in the light, stylish comedy parts requiring little emotional depth. In the opinion of George Henry Lewes, he was "utterly powerless in the manifestation of all the powerful emotions… He cannot even laugh with animal heartiness. He sparkles: he never explodes."

Madame Vestris [Lucia Elizabeth Bartolozzi] (1797 to 1856)

Madame Vestris had been married to the dancer Armand Vestris, who deserted her in 1820. Besides her dark, attractive looks, she possessed an excellent singing voice and appeared in productions of Mozart’s operas The Marriage of Figaro and Cosi Fan Tutte. It was during her tenancy of the Olympic Theatre in London (1831 to 1839) that she engaged her future husband, Charles Mathews. She was at her best in burlesque and high comedy, but her "breeches" roles , such as Macheath in The Beggar’s Opera and Don Giovanni, were also popular. Her last appearance was for her husband’s benefit at the Lyceum in July 1854. Madame Vestris is credited with certain innovations of theatrical production, including the use of real (as opposed to artificial) properties and the development of the "box" set.

Robert Roxby (1809? to 1866)

Robert Roxby acted frequently with Charles James Mathews and played the latter’s principal parts himself in the provinces. From 1847 to 1855 he was with Mathews at the Lyceum.

Charles Dance (1794 to 1863)

Charles Dance was the son of the architect George Dance the younger and nephew of James Dance, the actor and first manager of the Theatre Royal, Richmond. He wrote numerous light pieces for the stage, including extravaganzas for Madame Vestris.

George Henry Lewes (1817to 1878)

George Henry Lewes was the author of works on natural history, science and philosophy. He also contributed literary and dramatic criticism to various periodicals. His book On Actors and the Act of Acting was published in 1875. His play The Lawyers was first produced at the Lyceum in May 1853. In 1851 he met Mary Ann Evans, the novelist George Eliot. They subsequently lived together as husband and wife and between 1855 to 1859 stayed in Richmond at number 8, Parkshot.