Cecil (Blunt), Arthur

1843

1896

Arthur Cecil, whose real name was Arthur Cecil Blunt, was born near London in 1843. After making some appearances in amateur theatricals he appeared under the name of Arthur Cecil in the professional productions of “No Cards” and the musical version of “Box and Cox”. In 1874 he joined the company at the Globe Theatre, appearing on 24 January as Jonathan Wagstaff in Gilbert’s “Committed for Trial”. Then followed numerous roles at the Globe, the Comedy Theatre and eventually the Court Theatre, where he created many roles, including Baron Verduret in “Honour”, Connor Hennessy in “The Rector”, Posket in “The Magistrate” (G0106) and the Hon Vere Queckett in “The Schoolmistress” (G0105). Among his last characters were Charles Deakin in “The Widow” on 21 April 1892 (at the Comedy) and Sir James Bramston in “The Guardsman” on 20 October 1892 (at the Court). He died at the Orleans Club, Brighton, on 16 April 1896 and was buried at Mortlake. His friend Joseph Knight described him as a ‘thorough artist and a clever actor, more remarkable for neatness than robustness or strength’ – qualities that seem to have been captured in Ward’s drawing (G0107). A caricature drawing of Cecil by an unknown artist is also in the Garrick Club (G0989). Cecil was a long-time member of the Club, having joined in 1867.