Maurice Willson Disher collection on Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theatre Company
Biographical/Historical note
Irving took over the management of the Lyceum Theatre in August, 1878, and was identified with that theatre until 1902. The Lyceum company toured the English provinces every autumn presenting plays from the London season. In October, 1883, the company made the first of eight American tours.
Scope and Contents
The Maurice Willson Disher collection on Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theatre Company consists of material relating to the English actor Henry Irving (1838-1905) and the Lyceum Theatre company, assembled by Maurice Willson Disher (1893-1969), English critic and author. The bulk of the material, including correspondence, financial records, and memorabilia, survived a clearance of the Lyceum Theatre sometime after 1903. Disher purchased them at an auction.
The material in the collection pertains to the American tours of 1883-1884, 1884-1885, and 1903-1904, as well as provincial tours in 1881, 1897, 1902-1903, and 1904. In addition, there is correspondence and other records related to the provincial tour of Victorien Sardou's play, "Madame Sans-Gene," which Irving had produced in London in April, 1897, and toured in that autumn.
The collection also includes a group of materials related to Laurence Irving's tour of the play, "Richard Lovelace," from May to December, 1904. Laurence was the son of Sir Henry Irving.
The correspondence includes letters to Irving and his secretary Bram Stoker asking a variety of favors. Some ask that Irving contribute time or money to various charitable organizations; others ask for advances on salaries or for jobs as actors or scenery painters; some concern articles on drama Irving or Stoker were asked to contribute to magazines. There are also approximately 150 letters to George Alexander and Norman Forbes-Robertson regarding Irving's funeral.
The final section of the collections consists of printed material about Irving collected by Maurice Willson Disher, including newspaper and periodical clippings, prints, and photographs. Most notable are five original pen-and-ink sketches of Irving by an unknown artist, and portraits of Irving by Aubrey Beardsley and William Nicholson.
The souvenir programs were removed to the printed book collection (Box 6 includes duplicates) and the theatre programs and playbills were added to the Department's Theatre Program Collection.
Creator
- Irving, Henry, Sir, 1838-1905 (Person)
- Disher, M. Willson (Maurice Willson), 1893-1969 (Person)
- Stoker, Bram, 1847-1912 (Person)
- Alexander, George, Sir, 1858-1918 (Person)
- Forbes, Norman, 1858-1932 (Person)
Dates
- Creation: 1880-1939
Language of Materials
English
Extent
6 box(es)
Access
The Maurice Willson Disher collection on Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theatre Company is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Use
In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from George S. MacManus Co., June 1, 1983 on the Wilson Family Fund and subsequent purchases.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], Maurice Willson Disher Collection on Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theatre Company, D.181, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
Subject
- Irving, Henry, Sir, 1838-1905 (Person)
- Stoker, Bram, 1847-1912 (Person)
- Alexander, George, Sir, 1858-1918 (Person)
- Forbes, Norman, 1858-1932 (Person)
- Lyceum Theatre (London, England) (Organization)
- Title
- Maurice Willson Disher collection on Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theatre Company
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library
