Lord Dundreary, a Memoir of Edward Askew Sothern; With a Brief Sketch of the Career of E.H. Sothern - Softcover

Pemberton; Pemberton, Thomas Edgar

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1152563033 ISBN 13: 9781152563032

Publisher: RareBooksClub.com, 2012

Synopsis

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ...successful as a 'run,' save in such cities as a short distance made it convenient for the imitators to visit, watch, and study the original performers. For instance, from Boston F. L. Davenport and Chanfrau, J. A. Smith and Warren, and from Philadelphia, Wheatley and Clarke, visited Laura Keene's in New York, and repeatedly studiously witnessed every movement, every 'gag' or stage tact, and the entire affair was secretly taken down in shorthand by hired stenographers for these gentlemen. Hence, in only those cities has the piece been well rendered, and though the public have seen it already here, many have yet to see it more complete with its three original characters, and its chief one, Lord Dundreary. So much for the history of 'Our American Cousin.'" If the history be a true one, it would then appear that when, in 1851, Charles Kean prophesied that Sothern would one day work his way in London, the piece in which his first great success was to be achieved was already written, and in the possession of Benjamin Webster. The book also gives a record of a benefit performance in which "Messrs. Jefferson and Sothern were immensely funny 'in Box and Cox,' paraphrasing the points of the piece in the most unblushing manner to suit the circumstances of their own professional associations. For instance, instead of Box asking Cox if he had 'a strawberry mark on his left arm,' and, after receiving a negative answer, exclaiming, 'Then you are my long-lost brother!' Mr. Sothern said, 'You have the mark of a thneeze on your left arm?' 'No,' replied Mr. Jefferson. 'Then,' cried Mr. Sothern, 'you are my long-lost American cousin!'" As a further proof of his desire in these days to get away from America and Dundreary, and to come to England...

About this edition

• Publisher: RareBooksClub.com
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1152563033
• ISBN 13: 9781152563032
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64