Mr. Henry Compton
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It is with extreme regret we chronicle the
compulsory retirement from the stage of Henry Compton, comedian. The man
exists, but the witty, eccentric, genial actor is no more. Rare is the man or
woman of the present generation who is not acquainted with his speciality, or
who does not cherish grateful recollections of hearty laughs indulged in at his
bidding. This actor was endowed with one of the richest veins of humour (and we
have seen him in most of his characters) that ever fell to the share of an
eccentric delineator of stage oddities. He was not a one-part actor, but
exhibited a multitude of contrarieties, each one apparently surpassing the
other, none falling below the standard of true excellence. He possessed the
"grip" of the true artist, and in every phase of variety held his audience with
a grasp of iron. His First Champagne, Founded on Fact, and The
Fish Out of Water are associated with his earlier triumphs. At the
Haymarket he retained his popularity for a number of years; and later on, at
the Globe Theatre, under the management of Mr. H.J. Montague, he contributed to
the mirthful entertainment of thousands of admiring spectators.
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His Oxeye in Oriana, his Muggles in
Partners for Life, and his Paul Cudlipp in Forgiven, are still
fresh in the memories of many. He has now arrived at the advanced age of
seventy-two years, and is visited with a terrible physical infirmity that
incapacitates him for his profession, and must be endured. Our best wishes and
kindliest sympathies go with him; and we doubt not that with his affliction our
readers will readily sympathise.
Mr. Compton's family name is Mackenzie; he was born
in Huntingdon. In his professional studies he began at the lowest round, but
sought on the Bedford circuit to shine as light comedian, which he soon wisely
left for that of low comedian. After eleven years of hard work at Lincoln and
on the York circuit, he appeared in London, at the Lyceum; subsequently at
Drury Lane, in the parts of Slender, Tony Lumpkin, Mar All, Mawworm, and the
Gravedigger. His reputation as a Shakespearean performer was early established.
We shall not easily forget his Launcelot Gobbo and Touchstone. As an actor of
sterling merit, and one of our richest low comedians, his name will ever be
remembered by all lovers of stage art.
His benefit on Thursday at Drury Lane was produced
under the most favourable circumstances, and commanded the services of the
élite of the profession. The performances were a scene from
Othello, the Moor being personated by Mr. Creswick, and Iago by Mr.
Ryder; and scenes from Bulwer's play of Money, with the part of Evelyn
by Mr. Edward Compton, the son of the eminent comedian; also from Sheridan's
Critic, Morton's Lend me Five Shillings, Macklin's Man of
World, and Sullivan Gilbert's Trial by Jury, contributed to the
miscellaneous department. A better entertainment could not have been
provided.
