Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 2).djvu/475



R. HENRY NEVILLE, the son of a successful actor, appeared on the stage at the early age of four, in the part of an infant laid alone to sleep on a mossy bank, but greatly amazed and delighted the spectators by getting up and dancing a hornpipe on his own account. In course of time, though his father desired him to join the army, he threw in his lot with a strolling company, and for some time learnt his art in the hard but excellent school of the provincial theatres. At length, at twenty-three, he appeared at the Lyceum as Percy Ardent in "The Irish Heiress"—a part in which the spirit and vigour of his acting instantly attracted notice. He then removed to the Olympic, where his appearance as Bob Brierley in "The Ticket-of-Leave Man" went far to restore the fortunes of a hitherto unlucky house. At thirty-six, he became manager of this theatre—the scene of his chief London successes where his impersonations in "Clancarty," "The Two Orphans," and "Buckingham," showed him an actor of great pathos as well as vigorous action. In comedy, and especially as a stage lover, Mr. Neville shines above all rivals, and the hearty and genuine character of his acting makes him an ideal heroic soldier. For some years his school of dramatic art has turned out a succession of promising young actors.