THE LIFE OF CHARLES JAMES MATHEWS Chiefly Autobiographical with Selections From His Correspondence and Speeches

[Theatre]; Dickens Charles (the younger), editor

Published by London Macmillan and Co. 1879

About this Item

2 volumes. First Edition. With a portrait frontispiece in each volume and three other engravings. Tall 8vo, publisher's original dark-green polished cloth, the spine lettered and ruled in gilt, the covers blocked in black and blind. ix, 324; viii, 336 pp. A superlative copy, unopened and pristine. FIRST EDITION, AND AN ESPECIALLY FINE, UNOPENED COPY. A SCARCE WORK ON THIS POPULAR ACTOR AND DRAMATIST. A son of the actor Charles Mathews, he achieved a greater reputation than his father in the same profession and also excelled at light comedy. He toured three times in the United States, and met and married his second wife there. As an actor in England, Mathews held an unrivaled place in his unique vein of light eccentric comedy. He had an easy grace combined with "imperturbable solemnity", a combination which amused people; his humour was never broad, but always measured and restrained. It was as the leading character in such plays as the Game of Speculation, My Awful Dad, Cool as a Cucumber, Patter versus Clatter, and Little Toddlekins, that he especially excelled. Mathews was one of the few English actors who successfully played French-speaking roles. In 1863 he appeared in Paris in a French version of his play Cool as a Cucumber, and was received with praise. He played there again in 1865 as Sir Charles Coldcream in the original play L'Homme blasé. Seller Inventory # 70157

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE LIFE OF CHARLES JAMES MATHEWS Chiefly ...

Publisher: London Macmillan and Co. 1879

Binding: Hardcover

Edition: 1st Edition