In 1895 Henry Irving became the first actor to be awarded
a knighthood, indicating full acceptance into the higher circles of British society.
Below his photo you can view an original souvenir program
for Henry Irving's King Lear performance, November 10, 1892, illustrated by J. Bernard Partridge and
Hawes Craven.
This historic theater program is presented as a slide show. Just click on the arrows,
right and left, or the buttons at the bottom to move from page to page.
Presented at the Lyceum Theatre, Nov. 10, 1892, by Henry Irving. Illustrated by J. Bernard Partridge and Hawes Craven. London : Black and White Publishing Company.
Mr Irving has given us in "King Lear" such a series of grand and pathetic pictures that, had the mere photographer been employed to perpetuate them, the result could not but have been welcome. When, however, Mr Bernard Partridge, with the sympathetic insight into his subject of an artist who has also been an actor, and Mr Hawes Craven, with his unrivalled power of representing the tragic elements in nature, unite their forces, an album of extreme beauty is produced. The pictures recall nearly every moment of the play that was actually or potentially impressive. The studies of Mr Irving in the earlier scenes are remarkably impressive, and of the portrait of Miss Ellen Terry as Cordelia we can only say in praise that it robs that exquisite impersonation of no charm save that of voice.
From: Queen, January 21, 1893
