New-York tribune., 1896-05-03
HENRY IRVINGS TOUR.
A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL SEASON NEAR

"A
ITS END.
uerrv irving Miss Ellen Terry and their asso-
ciates Of the London Lyceum Company are nearing
the end of their fifth tour In America On FRIDAY
night May l5 they will appear on the stage OF
Abbey's Theatre for the last time In this country
for this season. and on Saturday morning, May io'
a majority of the players will be on shippoaro ON
the way home The present tour OF Mr.. irving ana
his colleagues has been the longest ana most exact
ing they have made in this country
In the course of thirty-fve weeks they nave vist-
ed twenty-seven cities returning In this period 70
three cities only Philadelphia. Boston and New
York The longest continuous engagement was
naturally that in New-York but several visits OF
from two to four weeks in one place were PAID.
Tn five instances a "one-n.ght stand" was visited.
This was something of an accomplishment, since
nearly every play in the repertory requires from Ten
to twelve hours TO set on the stage Inc company
of lO6 players has journeyed nearly IVo miles, ana
with wonderful good fortune. No performance was
omitted until the return visit TO Boston. and there
the openng nights presentation was prevented by
an accident happening one car os long special
train That car contained the entire wardrooe OF
"The Merchant of Venice" and its non-arrvai until
nearly midnight forced the dismissal OF large
audience The death OF the veteran actor. Henry
Howe and a family bereavement for MISS Terry
were the only sad occurrences of the tour
Uniform success great hospitality and abundant
enthusiasm were the history OF the sojourn IN eacn
city Mr. Irving carried every scene. property.
accessory and appurtenance OF all the plays given.
and the productions were revelations In theatrical
art to many OF the cities visited. Especially was
this the fact In the South. where Mr. Irving ana
Miss Terry had never been seen before
Counting the trips to and from England, when this
company shall once be seen on its native
dramatic heath considerably over 1900 miles VIII
have been the extent OF its travels. With l2o and
more people, the railroad journeys being made by
special train the conveyance of the greater part OF
700 tons of scenery properties and other play equip
ments. with careful and conscientious production
OF each play given. with hundreds OF details OF
such an enterprise as this to be attended to, the
fact that no acc.dent has occurred needing special
note is a record OF careful management on the part
OF Messrs. Abbey. schoeffel Grau, and also OK
most assiduous attention on the part OF the stars
and the entire company The performances have
been given as advertised, with few exceptions.
Changes of bill were made In Chicago owing TO the
bereavement before mentioned. but only one per.
formarce has been omitted, the one In Boston
The tour has been one which will long be remem.
bered for its remarkable disclosure to thousands OF
theatregoers of order Of productions IN which
every minor detail receives the same care and aten-
tion commonly given to the scene or per-
formance which is dwelt upon for advertising pur-
poses. -, -. -.
company will remain In New-York until Wednesday
of the week following the close OF their engagement
here The others, as has been said, VIII make
quick gathering together OF their goods 10 depart
within a half day Of the final performance af
Abbey's