Martin-Harvey, John (Sir)

1863

1944

The actor-manager John Martin-Harvey was born at Wyvenhoe, Essex, on 22 June 1863, the son of the yacht builder John Harvey and his wife Margaret Diana Mary. He studied drawing and painting, and although intended for naval architecture he turned to the stage, making his first appearance at the old Court Theatre in 1881. He was in one of Wyndham’s companies of “Betsy”, and then in 1882 joined Irving’s company at the Lyceum, where he remained for 14 years. In 1889 he took over management of that theatre, with an adaptation of “A Tale of Two Cities” called “The Only Way”, in which he played Sydney Carton. He remained associated with that melodramatic role the remainder of his career. Subsequently Harvey managed the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden and other theatres. Among his notable productions were “Hamlet, Richard III” (G0457), “Henry V”, “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Everyman”. In 1912 he gave a splendid performance in “Oedipus Rex” that was memorialized by Macqueen-Pope as ‘savage in its stark horror.’ In 1930 Harvey published his “Autobiography”. He became a member of the Garrick Club in 1919 and received a knighthood in 1921. He was awarded an Honorary LL D from Glasgow University in 1938. Sir John died at his home, Primrose Cottage, East Sheen, Surrey, on 14 May 1944. His wife Angelina Helena (Nina) de Silva (1869-1949), whom he had married in 1889, was his leading lady in many productions. (OCT, WW)