Bourchier, Arthur

1863

1927

The actor-manager Arthur Bourchier was born at Speen, Berks, on 22 June 1863, the son of Capt Charles Bourchier; he was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and he was one of the founders of the OUDS, playing with that organisation Feste, Shylock, Hotspur and Brutus, among others. His first professional appearance was at Wolverhampton in 1889, as Jaques in “As You Like It”, with Mrs Langtry’s company. He played the same role for his London debut at the St James’s Theatre on 24 February 1890, thus beginning a long career during which he acted at and managed a number of theatres, including the Garrick, the Criterion and the Strand. Some of his notable roles included Long John Silver in “Treasure Island” (G0086), the title roles in “The Admirable Crichton” and “Henry VIII” and Joseph Surface in “The School for Scandal”. With Tree’s company at Her Majesty’s (1910-11) he acted Henry VIII, Bottom, Brutus, Sir Toby Belch and Macduff. He was at his best in ‘truculent, fiery, or broad hearty parts …’ (OCT). Bourchier married the fine actress Violet Vanbrugh (1867-1942) in 1894, and they often appeared together on stage. His second wife, Violet Marion Kyrle Bellew, whom he married in 1918, was also an actress. Bourchier died while on tour in South Africa on 14 September 1927, at age 63. He had become a member of the Garrick Club in 1885.