Charles Warner (born Charles John Lickfold, 10 October 1846 – 11 February 1909) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national id ...

stage actor whose career of over forty years spanned the

Victorian Victorian or Victorians may refer to: 19th century * Victorian era, British history during Queen Victoria's 19th-century reign ** Victorian architecture ** Victorian house ** Victorian decorative arts ** Victorian fashion ** Victorian literature ...

and

Edwardian The Edwardian era or Edwardian period of British history spanned the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910 and is sometimes extended to the start of the First World War. The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 marked the end of the Victori ...

eras. Warner performed in a variety of styles, from

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

's plays to comedies, but he was best known for his dramatic roles and the emotional intensity of his performances. His most famous character was the alcoholic 'Coupeau' in Charles Reade's melodrama ''Drink'' (based on

Émile Zola Émile Édouard Charles Antoine Zola (, also , ; 2 April 184029 September 1902) was a French novelist, journalist, playwright, the best-known practitioner of the literary school of naturalism, and an important contributor to the development of ...

's novel, ''

L'Assommoir ''L'Assommoir'' , published as a serial in 1876, and in book form in 1877, is the seventh novel in Émile Zola's twenty-volume series ''Les Rougon-Macquart''. Usually considered one of Zola's masterpieces, the novel — a study of alcoholism and po ...

''), a part that the actor performed many times during his career. Warner performed in the principal theatres in London during the period 1864 to 1887. He had a successful tour of Australia and New Zealand from December 1887 to June 1890, after which he returned to England. In 1906 Warner travelled to New York where he appeared on stage in several productions. In February 1909 he committed suicide in his Manhattan hotel room.

Biography

Early years

Charles John Lickfold was born on 10 October 1846 in the central London district of Kensington, the third child of James Lickfold and Hannah (''née'' Holland).Family records, Ancestry.com. His father worked as a straw-hat maker and seller.Marriage registration, Charles John Lickfold and Fanny Elizabeth Hards, parish of Hampstead; reg. no.: 467/1866 (London Metropolitan Archives; Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P81/JN1/078). Lickfold was educated at Westbury College in the north London suburb of

Highgate Highgate ( ) is a suburban area of north London at the northeastern corner of Hampstead Heath, north-northwest of Charing Cross. Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has two active conservation organis ...

.Death of Mr. Chas. Warner
''Evening News'' (Sydney), 30 March 1909, page 3. Lickfold made his first appearance on the stage in 1861, aged fifteen, at a special performance at

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. It is strongly associated with the English and succeeding British royal family, and embodies almost a millennium of architectural history. The original c ...

before

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days was longer than that of any previ ...

, performing as a page in

Edward Bulwer-Lytton Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, PC (25 May 180318 January 1873) was an English writer and politician. He served as a Whigs (British political party), Whig member of Parl ...

's historical drama, '' Richelieu'' (with the veteran actor

Samuel Phelps Samuel Phelps (born 13 February 1804, Plymouth Dock (now Devonport), Plymouth, Devon, died 6 November 1878, Anson's Farm, Coopersale, near Epping, Essex) was an English actor and theatre manager. He is known for his productions of William S ...

in the lead role).Charles Reade obituary in '' The Athenaeum'', 20 February 1909, page 236a; quoted i
'The death of Charles Warner, New York, 11 February 1909'
''Footlight Notes'' website, John Culme (2003).'Obituary: Mr. Charles Warner', ''The Times'' (London), 13 February 1909, page 13. Lickfold worked briefly in the office of his uncle, an architect. In 1863, aged seventeen, he left that employment and his home, determined to pursue a theatrical career. Lickford had secured a position as a "utilitarian" actor in a theatre company under the management of James Rogers, based in the provincial town of

Hanley Hanley is one of the six towns that, along with Burslem, Longton, Fenton, Tunstall and Stoke-upon-Trent, amalgamated to form the City of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England. Hanley is the ''de facto'' city centre, having long been th ...

in Staffordshire. When he left home Lickfold was accompanied by his sister, "who had got wind of my intention and insisted on going with me". The company of actors worked "the Hanley, Leicester, Lichfield, and Worcester circuit", performing dramas such as '' The Castle Spectre'' and ''

The Mysteries of Paris ''The Mysteries of Paris'' (french: Les Mystères de Paris) is a novel by the French writer Eugène Sue. It was published serially in 90 parts in '' Journal des débats'' from 19 June 1842 until 15 October 1843, making it one of the first ser ...

''. Lickfold remained with the company for just under a year, playing two parts a night in a constant turn-over of productions. He later remarked: "It was there that I really learned my profession, the continual change of plays ensuring versalitity".Mr. Charles Warner: An Interesting Chat
''The Express and Telegraph'' (Adelaide), 23 June 1888, page 3. In 1864 Lickfold briefly joined Henry Nye Chart's company in Brighton. Soon afterwards, however, he was offered the opportunity to appear on the stage in London.

The London stage

At some point early in his career Lickfold adopted the

stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

of 'Charles Warner', the name by which he was known for the rest of his life. In 1864 Warner made his debut on the London stage as '

Benvolio Benvolio is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Romeo and Juliet''. He is Lord Montague's nephew and Romeo's cousin. Benvolio serves as an unsuccessful peacemaker in the play, attempting to prevent violence between the Capul ...

' in ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with ''Ham ...

'' at the Princess' Theatre in Oxford street. In 1866 Warner was engaged for a three-year period by F. B. Chatterton at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane in London, performing in Shakesperean revivals with Samuel Phelps.George Wilman (1882), page 26. It was Phelps that became the young actor's mentor; as Warner later stated: "the late Samuel Phelps... really took me in hand, and helped me to achieve the position which I now hold". Charles Lickfold and Fanny Hards were married on 17 December 1866 in the parish church at Hampstead. The couple had two children, Grace (born in 1870 at

Paddington Paddington is an area within the City of Westminster, in Central London. First a medieval parish then a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965. Three important landmarks of the district are Padd ...

) and

Henry Henry may refer to: People * Henry (given name) *Henry (surname) * Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry Royalty * Portuguese royalty ** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal ** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...

(born in 1875 at

St Johns Wood St John's Wood is a district in the City of Westminster, London, lying 2.5 miles (4 km) northwest of Charing Cross. Traditionally the northern part of the ancient parish and Metropolitan Borough of Marylebone, it extends east to west from ...

). Both children followed their father's profession as actors. In about 1870 Charles Warner joined the company at the

Olympic Theatre The Olympic Theatre, sometimes known as the Royal Olympic Theatre, was a 19th-century London theatre, opened in 1806 and located at the junction of Drury Lane, Wych Street and Newcastle Street. The theatre specialised in comedies throughout m ...

in Drury Lane. His roles there included 'Charley Burridge' in

H. J. Byron Henry James Byron (8 January 1835 – 11 April 1884) was a prolific English dramatist, as well as an editor, journalist, director, theatre manager, novelist and actor. After an abortive start at a medical career, Byron struggled as a provincial ...

's ''Daisy Farm''. From 1872 Warner joined the company at the Lyceum Theatre, then under the management of

H. L. Bateman Hezekiah Linthicum Bateman (December 6, 1812March 22, 1875), was an American actor and manager. Life Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1812, the fourth child and second son of Amzi Bateman (c.1777–1816), a fisherman, and his wife, Catherine Bate ...

, where he remained for two years.Mr. Charles Warner
''The Lorgnette'' (Melbourne), 28 January 1888, page 2. At the Lyceum he succeeded

Henry Irving Sir Henry Irving (6 February 1838 – 13 October 1905), christened John Henry Brodribb, sometimes known as J. H. Irving, was an English stage actor in the Victorian era, known as an actor-manager because he took complete responsibility ...

in the role of '

Alfred Jingle Alfred Jingle is a fictional character who appears in the 1837 novel ''The Pickwick Papers'' by Charles Dickens. He is a strolling actor and an engaging charlatan and trickster noted for his bizarre anecdotes and distinctive mangling of English ...

' in ''Pickwick'' (

James Albery James Albery (4 May 1838 – 15 August 1889) was an English dramatist. Life and career Albery was born in London. On leaving school he entered an architect's office and started to write plays. His farce ''A Pretty Piece of Chiselling'' was ...

's stage adaptation of ''

The Pickwick Papers ''The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club'' (also known as ''The Pickwick Papers'') was Charles Dickens's first novel. Because of his success with '' Sketches by Boz'' published in 1836, Dickens was asked by the publisher Chapman & Hall to ...

''). Amongst his other roles at the Lyceum, Warner also played the role of '

Orpheus Orpheus (; Ancient Greek: Ὀρφεύς, classical pronunciation: ; french: Orphée) is a Thracians, Thracian bard, legendary musician and prophet in ancient Greek religion. He was also a renowned Ancient Greek poetry, poet and, according to ...

' in

Euripides Euripides (; grc, Εὐριπίδης, Eurīpídēs, ; ) was a tragedian of classical Athens. Along with Aeschylus and Sophocles, he is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians for whom any plays have survived in full. Some ancient scholars ...

' ''

Medea In Greek mythology A major branch of classical mythology, Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the ...

''. In about 1874 Warner joined the company of the

Vaudeville Theatre The Vaudeville Theatre is a West End theatre on the Strand in the City of Westminster. As the name suggests, the theatre held mostly vaudeville shows and musical revues in its early days. It opened in 1870 and was rebuilt twice, although each ...

in London's West End and "attracted favorable notice there by his painstaking acting in various parts". His roles at the Vaudeville included 'Mr. Puff' in a revival of ''

The Critic ''The Critic'' was an American primetime adult animated sitcom revolving around the life of New York film critic Jay Sherman, voiced by Jon Lovitz. It was created by writing partners Al Jean and Mike Reiss, who had previously worked as writers ...

'' by

Richard Brinsley Sheridan Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan (30 October 17517 July 1816) was an Irish satirist, a politician, a playwright, poet, and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He is known for his plays such as ''The Rivals'', ''The S ...

, 'Charles Surface' in Sheridan's ''

The School for Scandal ''The School for Scandal'' is a comedy of manners written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on 8 May 1777. Plot Act I Scene I: Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy young widow, and her hireling Sn ...

'' and 'Harry Dornton' in

Thomas Holcroft Thomas Holcroft (10 December 174523 March 1809) was an English dramatist, miscellanist, poet and translator. He was sympathetic to the early ideas of the French Revolution and helped Thomas Paine to publish the first part of ''The Rights of Ma ...

's '' The Road to Ruin''. In 1875 Charles Warner played the part of 'Charles Middlewick' for 700 nights in the highly successful comedy, H. J. Byron's ''

Our Boys ''Our Boys'' is a comedy in three acts written by Henry James Byron, first performed in London on 16 January 1875 at the Vaudeville Theatre. Until it was surpassed by the run of ''Charley's Aunt'' in the 1890s, it was the world's longest-runn ...

''. At the Vaudeville he also appeared in

Boucicault Dionysius Lardner "Dion" Boucicault (né Boursiquot; 26 December 1820 – 18 September 1890) was an Irish actor and playwright famed for his melodramas. By the later part of the 19th century, Boucicault had become known on both sides of the ...

's ''Old Heads and Young Hearts'' ("a charming comedy") and as 'Charles Courtley' in ''

London Assurance ''London Assurance'' (originally titled ''Out of Town'') is a five-act comedy by Dion Boucicault. It was the second play that he wrote but his first to be produced. Its first production was by Charles Matthews and Madame Vestris's company and ...

'' (that played for 400 nights). Warner then went to the Haymarket Theatre Royal for a year, playing in leading roles opposite

Adelaide Neilson Lilian Adelaide Neilson (3 March 184815 August 1880), born Elizabeth Ann Brown, was a British stage actress. Early life Neilson was the daughter of a strolling actress, Anne Brown, and was born, out of wedlock, at 35 St Peters Square Leeds ...

. In 1878 Warner was engaged at the Princess' Theatre by Walter Gooch, where he opened as 'Tom Robinson' in a revival of

Charles Reade Charles Reade (8 June 1814 – 11 April 1884) was a British novelist and dramatist, best known for ''The Cloister and the Hearth''. Life Charles Reade was born at Ipsden, Oxfordshire, to John Reade and Anne Marie Scott-Waring, and had at leas ...

's ''

It's Never Too Late to Mend ''It's Never Too Late to Mend'' (alternatively just ''Never Too Late to Mend''; US release title ''Never Too Late'') is a 1937 British melodrama film directed by David MacDonald and starring Tod Slaughter, Jack Livesey and Marjorie Taylor. I ...

'', a production which played "for nearly 300 nights". He also appeared as 'Henry Shore' in the drama, ''Jane Shore'' by

W. G. Wills William Gorman Wills (28 January 182813 December 1891), usually known as W. G. Wills, was an Irish dramatist, novelist and painter. Early life and career Wills was born at Blackwell lodge in the neighbourhood of Kilmurry, County Kilkenny, Ire ...

''Drink''

It was Warner's role as 'Coupeau' in Charles Reade's ''Drink'' that "made his reputation as a great melodramatic actor". ''Drink'' was a play based on

's novel, ''

'', and adapted by Reade from the French play of the same name as Zola's novel. ''Drink'' premiered at the Princess' Theatre on 2 June 1879. The drama was described as being mounted "with all the scenery and surprising effects" that characterised the production of the original French play at the

Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique The Théâtre de l’Ambigu-Comique (, literally, Theatre of the Comic-Ambiguity), a former Parisian theatre, was founded in 1769 on the boulevard du Temple immediately adjacent to the Théâtre de Nicolet. It was rebuilt in 1770 and 1786, but in ...

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. ...

. Warner's role involved a "realistic presentment of the death of the wretched Coupeau from

delirium tremens Delirium tremens (DTs) is a rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol. When it occurs, it is often three days into the withdrawal symptoms and lasts for two to three days. Physical effects may include shaking, shiver ...

". He studied the causes and symptoms of the condition, "so that no element of reality should be wanting" in his performance. One London newspaper described that section of the play as "the most terrible scene ever presented on the English stage". In 1909 after Warner's suicide in New York the actor Gordon Bailey, who had played alongside him in ''Drink'', "stated that after the performance Mr. Warner was completely broken up, and that the passion and violence he put into his acting was enough to unhinge any brain". It was said that the final scene in ''Drink'' was so "exceedingly exacting" for the actor that Warner "would totter off the stage to his dressing-room, trembling, shaken as by a

palsy Palsy is a medical term which refers to various types of paralysisDan Agin, ''More Than Genes: What Science Can Tell Us About Toxic Chemicals, Development, and the Risk to Our Children;; (2009), p. 172. or paresis, often accompanied by weakness and ...

, and bathed in perspiration". Warner played the role of Coupeau at the Princess' Theatre "for a year and three months without cessation". He later played it in revivals in London at the Adelphi, Princess' and Surrey theatres, and the Standard Theatre in

Shoreditch Shoreditch is a district in the East End of London in England, and forms the southern part of the London Borough of Hackney. Neighbouring parts of Tower Hamlets are also perceived as part of the area. In the 16th century, Shoreditch was an impor ...

(in London's East End). At the Standard the play averaged £1,200 a week for seven weeks "at cheap prices... not even the pantomime there ever realised such a sum". At the time of his death in 1909 it was estimated that Warner had performed the role of Coupeau in ''Drink'' "about 3,000 times" in various parts of the world. By the time of his extended tour of Australia and New Zealand in the late 1880s, during which the actor performed the role of Coupeau on many occasions, there was a standing joke that 'Warner had taken to ''Drink'' again'.

Sadler's Wells Theatre

In 1880 Walter Gooch offered Warner a three-year engagement at the Princess' Theatre when it re-opened after a complete rebuild. At about the same time the renowned American Shakespearean actor

Edwin Booth Edwin Thomas Booth (November 13, 1833 – June 7, 1893) was an American actor who toured throughout the United States and the major capitals of Europe, performing Shakespearean plays. In 1869, he founded Booth's Theatre in New York. Some theatri ...

announced his intention to appear in London and Gooch also engaged him for six months. This caused a problem, with Booth refusing to share the stage with the English actor (Warner later claimed he had been willing to allow Booth his choice of roles, but the American declined). The Princess' Theatre re-opened in November 1880, with Booth and his company in a production of ''Hamlet''. Rather than face the prospect of being "shelved for several months", Warner joined the company at the

Sadler's Wells Theatre Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue in Clerkenwell, London, England located on Rosebery Avenue next to New River Head. The present-day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500-se ...

, in the Clerkenwell district of central London. Warner remained at the Sadler's Wells Theatre for nine months, where he played a range of Shakespearean characters such as 'Othello' and 'Macbeth', as well as appearing in other plays (including revivals of ''The School for Scandal'' and ''The Road to Ruin'').George Wilman (1882), page 27. In late-January 1881 Warner performed as 'Walter Lee' in

Henry Pettitt Henry Alfred Pettitt (7 April 1848 – 24 December 1893), was a British actor and dramatist. With Augustus Harris, he wrote the play ''Burmah'', produced on Broadway in 1896. With G. R. Sims, he created a substantial body of very success ...

's drama, ''Taken from Life''. Warner's versatility as an actor was considered to be one of his strengths. In a summary of the actor's career, written in 1882, the writer George Wilman commented on Warner's ability to "play the hero of a classical piece one night, and turn the next to a character demanding all the sprightliness, wit and buoyancy of manner that are the indispensable attainments of a refined low comedian".

Adelphi Theatre

Warner directed productions and played a series of melodramatic roles at the

Adelphi Theatre The Adelphi Theatre is a West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster, central London. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiv ...

from March 1881 to June 1885. * In March 1881 Warner directed an adaption of

Jules Verne Jules Gabriel Verne (;''Longman Pronunciation Dictionary''. ; 8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the ''Voyages extraord ...

's ''

Michael Strogoff ''Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar'' (french: Michel Strogoff) is a novel written by Jules Verne in 1876. Critic Leonard S. Davidow, considers it one of Verne's best books. Davidow wrote, "Jules Verne has written no better book than thi ...

'' and also played the title role. On opening night he was wounded in the hand during a duel "fought with a scimitar dangerously and unnecessarily sharp". The production was a success, playing for 100 performances.Alfred L. Nelson, Gilbert B. Cross & Joseph Donohue (general editors); Peggy Russo (contributing editor)
Calendar for 1880-1881
''The Adelphi Theatre Calendar'' website; accessed 25 January 2023. * During August 1881 Warner directed a revival of

Dion Boucicault Dionysius Lardner "Dion" Boucicault (né Boursiquot; 26 December 1820 – 18 September 1890) was an Irish actor and playwright famed for his melodramas. By the later part of the 19th century, Boucicault had become known on both sides of the ...

's ''Janet Pride'', also playing 'Richard Pride' in the production.Alfred L. Nelson, Gilbert B. Cross & Joseph Donohue (general editors); Peggy Russo (contributing editor)
Calendar for 1881-1882
''The Adelphi Theatre Calendar'' website; accessed 24 January 2023. * ''

'' by Charles Reade opened in September 1881, with Warner in the role of 'Tom Robinson'. * ''Taken from Life'' by

, which opened on 31 December 1881, was directed by Warner, who also had the lead role of 'Walter Lee' in the production. * In August 1882 a revival of ''Drink'' opened at the Adelphi, with Warner reprising his highly regarded performance as 'Coupeau'.Alfred L. Nelson, Gilbert B. Cross & Joseph Donohue (general editors); Peggy Russo (contributing editor)
Calendar for 1882-1883
''The Adelphi Theatre Calendar'' website; accessed 25 January 2023. * In January 1883 Warner played the lead role in a revival of ''Dora'', Reade's adaption of

Tennyson Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892) was an English poet. He was the Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge for one of his ...

's poem. * The "sensational melodrama" ''Storm-Beaten'' opened in March 1883, with Warner directing and playing the role of 'Christian Christianson'. * ''The Streets of London'' written by Dion Boucicault, from July to October 1883 with Warner in the role of 'Badger'.Alfred L. Nelson, Gilbert B. Cross & Joseph Donohue (general editors); Peggy Russo (contributing editor)
Calendar for 1883-1884
''The Adelphi Theatre Calendar'' website; accessed 2 February 2023. * From October 1883 to March 1885 Warner played 'Ned Drayton' in the drama, ''In the Ranks'' (written by Henry Pettitt and

George R. Sims George Robert Sims (2 September 1847 – 4 September 1922) was an English journalist, poet, dramatist, novelist and ''bon vivant''. Sims began writing lively humour and satiric pieces for ''Fun'' magazine and ''The Referee'', but he was soon co ...

), a play that ran "for nearly 500 consecutive nights". After the opening night Warner was described as "the typical hero of the Adelphi romance" who "seemed to carry the play on his shoulders to success".Alfred L. Nelson, Gilbert B. Cross & Joseph Donohue (general editors); Peggy Russo (contributing editor)
Calendar for 1884-1885
''The Adelphi Theatre Calendar'' website; accessed 2 February 2023. * ''The Last Chance'' written by

, from April to June 1885 with Warner in the role of 'Frank Daryll'. After ''The Last Chance'' finished in June 1885, Warner left the Adelphi Theatre after a commitment that spanned five seasons, and briefly joined the company at the Olympic Theatre.

Vaudeville and Princess' Theatres

Charles Warner as Tom Jones State Library Victoria

In 1886 Warner returned to the Vaudeville Theatre, managed by his friend Tom Thorne, where he performed in ''The Road to Ruin''. This was followed by Robert Buchanan's ''Sophia'' (an adaption of Fielding's ''

Tom Jones Tom Jones may refer to: Arts and entertainment *Tom Jones (singer) (born 1940), Welsh singer * Tom Jones (writer) (1928–2023), American librettist and lyricist *''The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling'', a novel by Henry Fielding published in ...

'') in which Warner played the role of 'Tom Jones'. ''Sophia'' was highly successful, with a run of "nearly 600 nights". In December 1886 Warner returned to the Princess' Theatre, where he opened in H. A. Jones' ''The Noble Vagabond''. From April 1887 he performed as 'Colonel Charles Prescott' in ''Held by the Enemy'', a

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polic ...

drama by the American playwright

William Gillette William Hooker Gillette (July 24, 1853 – April 29, 1937) was an American actor-manager, playwright, and stage-manager in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best remembered for portraying Sherlock Holmes on stage and in a 1916 ...

. While he was at the Princess Theatre Warner met

George Musgrove George Musgrove (21 January 1854 – 21 January 1916) was an English-born Australian theatre producer. Early life Musgrove was born at Surbiton, England, the son of Thomas John Watson Musgrove, an accountant, and his wife, Fanny Hodson, an ac ...

(representing the Australian theatrical management partnership of

Williamson, Garner and Musgrove James Cassius Williamson (26 August 1845 – 6 July 1913) was an American actor and later Australia's foremost impresario, founding the J. C. Williamson's theatrical and production company. Born in Pennsylvania, Williamson moved with his fam ...

). In the

Green Room Club The Green Room Club was a London-based club, primarily for actors, but also for lovers of theatre, arts and music. It was established in in a restaurant in Piccadilly Circus, and moved to premises on Adam Street in 1955, where it remained unt ...

in London Musgrove offered the actor "an engagement to come to Australia", which he readily accepted. As soon as the deal was completed Musgrove cabled his partners in Australia to "keep open Melbourne in February for Charles Warner".Mr. Charles Warner
''The Telegraph'' (Brisbane), 31 May 1889, page 5. At that stage Warner's engagement was to be for six weeks only.Mr. Charles Warner's Colonial Impressions
''The Argus'' (Melbourne), 24 July 1888, page 5. A farewell matinee benefit for Charles Warner was held at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane on 9 December 1887, on the occasion of his impending departure for Australia. The event, a series of performances and songs, involved "all the principal London artists" who had donated their services to the benefit. Warner was involved in several of the sequences, including the second act of ''Romeo and Juliet'' (with

William Terriss William Terriss (20 February 1847 – 16 December 1897), born as William Charles James Lewin, was an English actor, known for his swashbuckling hero roles, such as Robin Hood, as well as parts in classic dramas and comedies. He was also a not ...

, Leonard Boyne and his daughter Grace Warner in her stage ''début''). Warner also performed with others in the sixth act of ''Drink''. Prior to his departure from England, Warner "was entertained... at a luncheon" at the Hotel Metropole "by a number of Australian colonists" resident in London.

Australia

Warner and his daughter Grace departed from London on 2 January 1888 aboard the ''R.M.S.S. Victoria'' of the P. and O. Company's line. The voyage, via Aden and

Colombo Colombo ( ; si, කොළඹ, translit=Koḷam̆ba, ; ta, கொழும்பு, translit=Koḻumpu, ) is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo me ...

, took 35 days, arriving in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a me ...

on 6 February. During the trip various amusements (such as "fancy dress balls, concerts, negro minstrelsy, tableaux vivants, athletic sports, and histrionic entertainments") were organised by the passengers "to make their time pass merrily, and sometimes instructively". On the voyage Warner and his daughter performed the balcony scene from ''Romeo and Juliet''; a scene from ''Hamlet'' was also staged, in which a passenger, Miss Chirnside, took on the role of Ophelia. After his arrival in Melbourne, Warner wrote a letter to the editor of ''The Argus'' newspaper regarding the voyage. He admitted that "it was almost with dread, amounting to positive horror" that he undertook "so long a sea voyage", not having beforehand "travelled further than Paris and Germany". However, once he had settled aboard the vessel, Warner wrote that his "pleasure and delight grew as the voyage progressed". On Saturday, 18 February 1888, Charles Warner made his ''début'' on the Australian stage at Melbourne's Theatre Royal in ''Drink'', the play "in which he achieved his great London success nearly nine years ago". When the English actor first appeared on stage, "the storm of applause which broke from all parts of the house arrested the progress of the piece for some little time". Warner's share of the takings for his first week of performances in Melbourne was £500. He later remarked that the production of ''Drink'' in Melbourne was staged "as lavishly as in London" and he paid "a warm tribute to the discriminating enthusiasm of the typical colonial audience". The actor was so pleased with his reception in Melbourne that he agreed to the proposal by Williamson, Garner and Musgrove to extend his engagement from six weeks to sixteen. In June 1888 Warner wrote: "Since my arrival the few spare moments that I have been able to snatch from rehearsals I have devoted to the kindly invitations of my many new friends in Melbourne, and I say it from my heart, that a more congenial, delightful, and hospitable people it would be impossible to encounter". From February to June 1888 Williamson, Garner and Musgrove presented Warner to the Melbourne audiences in a number of the roles for which he was well-known (at both the Theatre Royal and the New Princess' Theatre). The productions staged in Melbourne during that period included ''Hamlet'', ''School for Scandal'', ''The Lady of Lyons'' and ''London Assurance''. On 15 June 1888 a special 'Shakespearean night' was presented at the Princess's Theatre marking the close of Warner's Melbourne season. During the evening Warner played the characters of Hamlet, Romeo, Shylock and Othello in selected scenes from Shakespeare's plays. In June 1888 Warner and his company travelled to

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater A ...

for a month-long season at the Theatre Royal, during which they presented "a number of theatrical treats" to the Adelaide playgoers. The Adelaide season also proved to be lucrative. The three nights of ''Hamlet'' alone returned £600. From Adelaide Warner and his company travelled to Sydney where they opened on 28 July with ''Drink'' at the Theatre Royal. In mid-August a production of ''The Lady of Lyons'' was staged, with Warner in the role of 'Claude Melnotte'. A clash with the touring London Gaiety Company in August prompted a week of performances in

Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to: *Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England *Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England *Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area in Australia, named after Newcastle ...

, where Warner and his company played "to the largest audiences on record in that city". After a successful Sydney season Warner returned to Melbourne to appear in the first Australian production of ''Hands Across the Sea'', a play specially written for Warner's Australian tour by

, which opened at the Theatre Royal on 29 September 1888.Amusements: Mr. Charles Warner
''The Telegraph'' (Brisbane), 17 April 1889, page 2. The play was highly successful, playing for twelve weeks in Melbourne "to the highest receipts ever known in the colonies". For a period of just seven performances, "the figures were up to £1,800". In late-December ''Hands Across the Sea'' opened at Sydney's Theatre Royal. In mid-February 1889 the drama ''Captain Swift'' opened at Sydney's Theatre Royal, with Warner in the title role and Gracie Warner also in the cast. he play was written by C. Haddon Chambers, a London-based dramatist who had been born in Sydney. The Sydney season of ''Captain Swift'' was not considered a success, with audience numbers down and the play being the subject of criticism in the local press. Warner and his company arrived in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

in mid-April 1889. During a successful six-week season at Brisbane's Opera House the company produced eleven different plays. The receipts for the opening week totalled £1,050. In contrast to its Sydney performances, ''Captain Swift'' played to full houses in Brisbane. From Brisbane Warner's company travelled to Adelaide for a "most brilliant and successful" five-week season (from 10 June to mid-July 1889) at the Theatre Royal. After Dark at the Theatre Royal Melb Punch 1890

After Dark at the Theatre Royal Melb Punch 1890

After the Adelaide season had finished Warner returned to Melbourne. The Williamson, Garner and Musgrove Dramatic Company that had been supporting Warner was disbanded and Warner set about forming and rehearsing a new company (with some members common to both). In August 1889 a popular English actress named Jennie Lee, who had been engaged by Williamson, Garner and Musgrove, was performing in ''The Grasshopper'' at Melbourne's Princess' Theatre. On 13 August she was "suddenly taken ill" and her understudy played her part that evening. Miss Lee was diagnosed with "a severe bronchial attack", which placed her management in a dilemma, as it was impractical for her understudy to replace the popular actress for the required period of recovery. Williamson, Garner and Musgrove had contemplated closing the theatre, but Warner rescued the situation by offering to perform ''Captain Swift'' at the Princess' Theatre for two weeks, despite a previous arrangement to perform with his new company at

Ballarat Ballarat ( ) is a city in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 Census, Ballarat had a population of 116,201, making it the third largest city in Victoria. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018. Within months of Vi ...

during that period.Before the Curtain: Princess Theatre
''Table Talk'' (Melbourne), 30 August 1889, page 14. Warner placed a notice in ''

The Ballarat Star ''The Ballarat Star'' was a newspaper in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, first published on 22 September 1855. Its publication ended on 13 September 1924 when it was merged with its competitor, the ''Ballarat Courier''.''Ballarat Star'' Newspap ...

'' on 20 August, explaining "the reason of his not appearing as announced" and expressing his intention to visit Ballarat at a later date "in order not to disappoint the public". Williamson, Garner and Musgrove sent a company to Ballarat to fulfil Warner's commitments there, opening with ''Hands Across the Sea'' at the Academy of Music with J. H. Clyndes, a recently arrived English actor, replacing Warner in the male lead role. Despite all the elaborate arrangements, the staging of ''Captain Swift'' at the Princess' Theatre in Melbourne proved to be a "financial failure" due to poor attendances during the fortnight. In early September 1889 Warner and his company played a short season at the Royal Princess Theatre in Sandhurst (Bendigo), performing productions such as ''Hands Across the Sea'', ''Drink'', ''Dora'', the comedy ''The Barrister'' and ''The Lady of Lyons''. Later in the month Warner's company commenced a tour of Tasmania, beginning in Launceston and finishing on 26 September at Hobart. On 10 October 1889 Warner and his company commenced a tour of

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 List of islands of New Zealand, smaller islands. It is the ...

Dunedin Dunedin ( ; mi, Ōtepoti) is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from , the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Th ...

, opening with ''Hands Across the Sea'' at the Princess Theatre. They also performed at

Christchurch Christchurch ( ; mi, Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon Rive ...

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by m ...

and

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about I ...

. It was reported that Charles Warner cleared £3,000 from his tour of New Zealand. After his successful tour of New Zealand, Warner appeared in a revival of ''Hands Across the Sea'' at the Theatre Royal in Melbourne in February 1890. In May 1890 Warner played 'Old Tom' in the revival of Dion Boucicault's melodrama, '' After Dark'', at Melbourne's Theatre Royal. In late-June 1890 Warner and his daughter Gracie featured in three farewell performances of ''Hamlet'' at the Theatre Royal in Adelaide, supported by the MacMahon Dramatic Company. In early July they departed for England aboard the '' R.M.S. Orizaba''.Amusements: Theatre Royal: Farewell of the Warners
''South Australian Register'' (Adelaide), 2 July 1890, page 3. Warner had been initially engaged for a six-week tour of Australia, soon afterwards extended to sixteen weeks, but he ended up remaining in the country for two years and six months. Warner's tour of Australia was reported to have been highly profitable (estimated at between twenty and thirty-five thousand pounds), but Warner's share was "unluckily lost in mining speculations".Suicide of Charles Warner
''

Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British newspaper whose circulation makes it the largest in Britain's quality press market category. It was founded in 1821 as ''The New Observer''. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of News UK, wh ...

'' (Sydney), 14 February 1909, page 7.

Return to England

After his return to England Warner performed in ''A Million of Money'' at Drury Lane, a spectacular melodrama by

Augustus Harris Sir Augustus Henry Glossop Harris (18 March 1852 – 22 June 1896) was a British actor, impresario, and dramatist, a dominant figure in the West End theatre, West End theatre of the 1880s and 1890s. Born into a theatrical family, Harris briefl ...

and

described as "an incoherent nightmare of former Drury-lane dramas". After his return from Australia the actor was reported to be "the same as ever, cheery, boisterous, loud-voiced, strong-lunged". Later Warner revived roles for which he was known, such as ''Drink'' and ''It Is Never Too Late to Mend''. In 1891 Warner played the title role in a stage version of '' The Count of Monte Christo'' at the Avenue Theatre in London. In May 1895 it was reported that Warner had been "touring in the English provinces", performing a play called ''Under the Mask''. Warner and his daughter Grace performed in the newly built Lyric Theatre at Hammersmith in July 1895. The opening bill consisted of a new drama, ''A House of Lies'' and the stage adaption of Tennyson's ''Dora''. Warner's wife Fanny died in January 1899 at

Clacton-on-Sea Clacton-on-Sea is a seaside town in the Tendring District in the county of Essex, England. It is located on the Tendring Peninsula and is the largest settlement in the Tendring District with a population of 56,874 (2016). The town is situated ...

, county Essex. In April 1902 at London's Wyndham's Theatre Warner opened in a drama called ''Heard at the Telephone'' (an English version of the French play ''Au Telephone''). The play included an "arduous scene" where the anguished husband (played by Warner) hears the sounds of his wife being murdered via the telephone. On the opening night Warner's "forcible acting secured for him a triple call". In late-January 1903 Warner performed in ''A Snug Little Kingdom'', a three-act comedy by

Mark Ambient Harold Harley (20 June 1860 – 11 August 1937), known by his pen name Mark Ambient, was an English actor and dramatist. He is particularly noted as a writer of the musical comedy '' The Arcadians'', first produced in 1909. He was born in Rastr ...

, at the

Royalty Theatre The Royalty Theatre was a small London theatre situated at 73 Dean Street, Soho. Established by the actress Frances Maria Kelly in 1840, it opened as Miss Kelly's Theatre and Dramatic School and finally closed to the public in 1938.

Soho Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century. The area was develo ...

. In December 1904 Warner played the role of 'Canio' in a dramatic version by Charles Brookfield of

Leoncavallo Ruggero (or Ruggiero) Leoncavallo ( , , ; 23 April 18579 August 1919) was an Italian opera composer and librettist. Although he produced numerous operas and other songs throughout his career it is his opera ''Pagliacci'' (1892) that remained h ...

's opera, ''

Pagliacci ''Pagliacci'' (; literal translation, "Clowns") is an Italian opera in a prologue and two acts, with music and libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo. The opera tells the tale of Canio, actor and leader of a commedia dell'arte theatrical company, who ...

'', at the

Savoy Theatre The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre was designed by C. J. Phipps for Richard D'Oyly Carte and opened on 10 October 1881 on a site previously occupied by the Savoy Pal ...

in London's West End. A reviewer for ''The Times'' praised Warner's melodramatic performance, remarking that "he was bold enough and wise enough to play the part 'for all it was worth', risking now and then the danger of being ridiculous for the sake of being effective". From May 1905 Warner played the role of "the renowned burglar" 'Kleschna' in the melodrama,

Leah Kleschna ''Leah Kleschna'' is a drama in five acts by C.M.S. McLellan produced for the first time on Broadway by Minnie Maddern Fiske, Harrison Grey Fiske and the Manhattan Company with set design provided by Frank E. Gates and E. A. Morange. The play o ...

(with

Lena Ashwell Lena Margaret Ashwell, Lady Simson ( Pocock; 28 September 1872 – 13 March 1957) was a British actress and theatre manager and producer, known as the first to organise large-scale entertainment for troops at the front, which she did during Wo ...

in the title role), written by the American playwright C. M. S. McLellan. The play was staged in the New Theatre in London's West End. Warner's performance as "the genial, capable, cruel and yet kind Kleschna" was described as "an extraordinary bit of work", the reviewer commenting on "the intense interest which this actor takes in the minutest detail of his part". In September 1906 Warner appeared in

Herbert Beerbohm Tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree (17 December 1852 – 2 July 1917) was an English actor and theatre manager. Tree began performing in the 1870s. By 1887, he was managing the Haymarket Theatre in the West End, winning praise for adventurous programm ...

's production of Shakespeare's ''

The Winter's Tale ''The Winter's Tale'' is a play by William Shakespeare originally published in the First Folio of 1623. Although it was grouped among the comedies, many modern editors have relabelled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances. Some cri ...

'', at London's

His Majesty's Theatre His Majesty's Theatre may refer to: *Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, Australia, known as His Majesty's Theatre 1901–1952, demolished 1983 * His Majesty's Theatre, London, England, known as Her Majesty's Theatre 1952–2023 *His Majesty's Theatre, ...

New York

Warner arrived in New York in late 1906 to work and to visit his son Harry, who had been establishing a career on the American stage.David Mayer (1999), page 347. In December 1906 Warner appeared in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic compositio ...

performances at the

Alhambra Theatre The Alhambra was a popular theatre and music hall located on the east side of Leicester Square, in the West End of London. It was built originally as the Royal Panopticon of Science and Arts opening on 18 March 1854. It was closed after two yea ...

in Harlem, New York. In February 1907 he appeared in "a condensed version" of ''Drink'' at Hyde and Behman's Theatre in Brooklyn. Warner hoped to arrange an American tour of ''Drink'' and other plays, but this did not eventuate. He became accustomed to playing cards at The Lambs Club, a social club associated with theatrical professions in West 44th Street, and reading in the club's library.

Death

On 11 February 1909 Charles Warner took his own life in a room of the Hotel Seymour in

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the List of co ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, aged 62 years. He was found suspended from a hook on the door of his room. A broken strap was found which indicated Warner had made several attempts to strangle himself. He had left a "rambling message" that began with "I am hounded to my death by thieves, blackmailers and liars", and concluded with: "God bless you all... O dear one, O my beloved, Good-by!".Reputation Possessed by Actor: Charles Warner, who Dies in New York
''Billboard'' (New York), 20 February 1909, page 4. Warner also left cash "for the payment of his board and funeral expenses". Warner's son Harry was about to appear on stage in New York when he was informed of his father's death. Warner was reported to be insane when he committed suicide. Friends and acquaintances who were interviewed regarding the actor's last days, spoke of Warner "brooding in the Lambs Club", occasionally complaining of "being swindled by unspecified conspirators". His son, Harry Warner, stated that "his father was deranged, and had not appeared on stage for a year". It was reported that Warner's friends had begun to notice "peculiarities in his demeanour" and "are of opinion that the exciting parts he has played, and the force he put into them, unhinged his mind". A funeral service for Charles Warner was held at the Church of the Transfiguration in East 29th Street and he was buried on 13 February in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the

Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New ...

district. The management of the Lambs Club took charge of funeral arrangements at the church and a delegation from the Club attended the church service and graveside committal. Warner's obituary in ''The Times'' commented that "as an actor he was held in greater esteem in the pit than in the stalls": ::He had perfect command of his temperament, however, and did not raise spirits that he could not control. His effects were broad, but carefully measured, and rarely failed. His reading of a character was not finely intellectual, but he could be trusted to get every inch out of a doubtful part... Amongst actors it has often been a matter of discussion why Warner, who repeatedly demonstrated the excellence of his art, did not occupy an even more prominent position with the public. The answer given by those who actually came into contact with him on the stage is that his nervous power was almost too great – his rage frightened them, as it did his audience... 'His fellow-artists''knew him as a man of generous impulses and kindly consideration for others, devoid of mean dealings, and willing to help in distress.

Cultural resonance

Charles Warner's celebrated performances as 'Coupeau' in Charles Reade's ''Drink'' was a direct influence on

D. W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the na ...

's 1909 silent film, ''

A Drunkard's Reformation ''A Drunkard's Reformation'' is a 1909 American drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of the film survive in the film archive of the Library of Congress. The American Mutoscope and Biograph Company advertised the feature as "The most ...

''. The construction of the film is "a play within a play", involving the visit to a performance of ''Drink'' by an alcoholic father and his "earnest, frightened child". The principal narrative of ''A Drunkard's Reformation'' is that of "a husband, father and breadwinner sliding into chronic inebriation and the threat to marriage, family and security which intemperance implies". The visit to the theatre by the father and daughter, to a play depicting the tragic downward path of a drunkard, "acts as the spur to reformation".David Mayer (1999), page 348. The evidence suggests that Griffith's film was a direct tribute to Warner after his tragic death in New York on 11 February 1909. Griffith devised and directed a total of seventy-three films during the first half of 1909 for distribution by the

Biograph Company The Biograph Company, also known as the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, was a motion picture company founded in 1895 and active until 1916. It was the first company in the United States devoted entirely to film production and exhibition, ...

(an average of more than two films a week). The timing of Warner's death, the particular construction of the narrative and the subsequent release date of the film points to the production of the moving picture following directly from Warner's suicide. ''A Drunkard's Reformation'' was copyrighted on 31 March 1909 and released the following day by the Biograph Company (less than two months after Warner's death).David Mayer (1999), page 350. In its advertising directed to exhibitors, Biograph drew attention to the intended connection with ''Drink'' and its powerful message: "The play 'within the film''happens to be a dramatization of Emile Zola's L'Assommoir, 'Drink'. Here 'the father''sees the awful result of intemperance and resolves to abstain from intoxicants for the rest of his life".''Biograph Bulletin'', no. 227 (1909); quoted in Mayer (1999), page 350.

References

;Sources * David Mayer (1999), 'The Death of a Stage Actor: The Genesis of a Film', ''Film History'', Vol. 11 No. 3, Early Cinema, Indiana University Press, pages 342–352. * George Wilman (1882),
Charles Warner
in ''Sketches of Living Celebrities'', London: Griffith and Farran, pages 25–30. {{DEFAULTSORT:Warner, Charles 1846 births 1909 deaths English male stage actors 19th-century English male actors 19th-century English singers 1909 suicides Suicides by hanging in New York (state) Suicides in New York City