London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
A RECOLLECTION OF THE LATE DAVID JAMES.
And this reference to the drama reminds me that while I was there I assisted at the performance of at Tunbridge Wells, in the Large Hall, and had the pleasure of seeing my friend Thomas Thorne in the character rendered famous by David James. I little thought when I was marking the differences between the two readings that I never should look upon the original again. The first time I met David James was after the production of at the Royalty. I had just made the acquaintance of the author of the famous burlesque, and at a dinner at which I was present, given by Frank Marshall to Alfred Wigan, Joseph Robins and Burnand, the latter spoke of the great possibilities of the coming actor. Mr. David James was cast for a comparatively small part, but he played it to the entire satisfaction of a rather exigent author. Mr. Burnand said that from what he had seen of his acting at rehearsal he was sure he would be And so he was. | |
321 | From his first appearance at the little Royalty he was a favourite with the Press. He played in several of Burnand's burlesques (and they were something like burlesques in those days!), first at Dean Street, Soho, and then at the Strand. He was always excellent. When David James and Thomas Thorne were at the Vaudeville I had a near chance of seeing them in one of my own pieces; they both read it and said they both liked it. They sent for me and told me that they considered it could be cast from the existing company. |
said David James, | |
My friend H. J. , however, did and the third act was duly delivered. The piece to which it belonged was , which ran without stopping for five years! My excellent play (I am afraid it has grown rather old-fashioned) is still tenderly cherished-on my bookshelves! | |
