1448400 1880 Shakespeare. The Merchant of Venice. Henry Irving 100 Perfs.
10301.
The Merchant of Venice. Henry Irving Edition Commomorating
100 Performances. 1880. Bram Stoker Acting Stage Manager.
The Merchant of Venice, a comedy in five acts, by William Shakespeare, as presented at the Lyceum Theatre, under the management / SHAKESPEARE, William.
8vo. [6], 74pp, [2]. With 4pp program of the performance bound at front (as issued). Original publisher's vellum, ruled and lettered in gilt, A.E.G. Extremities discoloured. Internally immaculate.
A commemorative edition of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, issued in celebration of the one hundredth performance of Henry Irving's (1838-1905) staging of the play at the Lyceum Theatre in 1880. Irving, manager of the Lyceum from 1878, took the lead role of Shylock. He restored the fifth act, which had long been omitted by performers who thought that the disappearance of Shylock concluded the story. He did however cut the text, though not as savagely as many of his contemporaries, not least owing to timing constraints resulting from the extended scene changes.
For the duration of the run Bram Stoker (1847-1912) took on the role of acting manager, directing 'front of house'.
Fine