New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-23
WILSON BARRETT DEAD.
We'll knozcn 4ctor Expires litter
an Operation IN London.

London. July 22-Wilson Barrett the actor
died this morning. He underwent an operation
for the removal of a cancer on July 20 The
doctors thereafter said that after a few weeks
rest he would be able 10 carry out his intention
of bringing out a play in September. His
death is attributed 10 heart failure.
Wilson Barrett was an actor. d manager of thea
tres and q playwright. He was the son OF a gen
tleIaaE farmer. and born in Essex on Febru-
airy Is. 1915. When he only eighteen years Old
he went on the stage at Halifax and. after playing
IN various provincial towns he for a time man
aser OF the Amphitheatre. at Leeds. and OF other
playhouses.
In 1873. three years after his first appearance in
London. he took the management of the Court
Theatre there, and the next year ne secured Nine.
Mocjeska for her first appearance in England. He
became manager OF the Princesss Theatre in 1881.
and produced that The Lights o London"
which held the boards for 2S6 nights.
II was in 1879 that he produced "Heartsease,' an
adaptation of SchilIer's Marie Stuart; "Frou
Frou.' Romeo and Juliet "Juana," poeticaI
play by ". G Wills. and The Old Love and the
| New"
In 1882 he produced The Romany Rye" by the
same author as that Of The Lights o London. -
The Silver King appeared the boards under
/ his management in the year 1t was in this
drama that Mr. Barrett created the part of Wilfred
Denver. which he played FOR three hundred con-
| secutive nights
1AtSe successive JF4UiGpnS MADE MIN EiCIl ana ne
then essayed somewhat higher hight in the play
of "Clduuian." by Wills and Herman which he
produced with lavish prodgalty of adornment.
This, too, Won abundant public favor. and some
I measure OF critical approval
Mr.. Barrett felt himself eulboIdened to make
! a bid for hrst honors by playing Hamlet. he
produced the tragedy in 1884. upon scale of great
pictorial spendcr and beauty and with a notable
cast. Prosperity attended his venture. repre-
sentation pleasing the public and his own imper-
10 rir win ant
on the part of the daily press. u theatrical per-
formance it mad substantial merit and indisputabIe
power.
/ It was at this period that Barrett reached the
/ highest point in his career. Soon afterward he
undertook his first American tour. in which he
acted Hamlet and his other favorite pieces IN all
the principal cities. reaping rich harvest of ap-
piause AID cash. he then appeared as Juuius
Brutus in Lord Lytton's tragedy. 'Junius; or. the
Household Gods In 1885 Barrett appeared in
! 'Hoodmaa Blind a drama by Henry A Jones and
himself The next year the actor-manager came
TO America. and upon returning produced AT Bright
on the drama Sister Mary" written by himself in
collaboration with Clement Scott. \ short time
afrerward ne appeared the Prtncesss in the
/ classical tragedy "CIitO' II was at this period
that he and Hall Game put the stage an adapta-
ton Of Mr. Gaines The Deemster' called al first
Ben -my-Chree.' and later The Good Old Times a."
In 1883 he produced the romantic drama Now
days" which was written by himself
The management of the Globe Theatre passed into
Barretts hands in 1857, One or the best known
plays produced by him IN that theatre was The
/ Golden ladder. IL lSSS he made a long visit 70
America Upon his return he wrote and PLAYED the
four act tragedy Pharaoh and revived "Othello"
and " irgiulus. He became manager Of the Olyru-
pc Theatre IN 1880 and Of the Lyric Theatre in 1895
II was In this year that ne gained a wonderful
success with the religious drama, The Sign of the
Cross. which he wrote himself. Mary Jefrres was
MS leading woman IN the play. supporting him IN
me principal part The play ran for eighteen
months Barrett visited Australia in 1888 and 1872
IN lSss ne took charge Of the LyCeum. the house
that mad so long been under the Henry
irving He produced his own adaptation OF SIen-
kleWlcZ & QUO NadIs'' Edinburgh in 1901
Besides his dramatic writings and various con-
tributioDs 20 magazines. Mr.. Barrett was an au-
thor or Joint author ot several works OF fiction
lie was a man OF many and good parts. energetic
shFcwd; practical and ambitious. OF clean and hon
orAhis lt' ana frank. open and generous terl0era-
Inri't Ills career. on the whole, successful
Mr Barrett reflected credit upon his profession bv
[ his devotion 20 ~. His personal character was
! never touched by scandal His uberaty and gen
eFal good taste IN stage cement and his anx-
ley tor tne welfare OF his fellow players him