Hermann Vezin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hermann Vezin (1829 – 1910) was an American actor, teacher of elocution and writer. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and educated at the University of Pennsylvania.
| Hermann Vezin | |
|---|---|
 Hermann Vezin in the title role of W. S. Gilbert's Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith |
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| Born | 1829 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | 1910 |
| Occupation | Stage actor, teacher, writer |
Vezin went to York, England and obtained an engagement there in 1850. His London début was made at the Princess's Theatre, London in 1852.
Most of Vezin's acting career took place in England. He played in Dr. Davey (1866); Man o' Airlie (1867); Son of the Soil (1872); As You Like It (1875); W. S. Gilbert's Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith, which ran for one hundred and nineteen performances at the Haymarket Theatre (1876, also a revival in 1884);[1] and Olivia (1878).
Hermann played the title role of W. S. Gilbert's Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith. A review of this performance in the Illustrated London News said that "Mr. Vezin is probably the most intellectual of our actors, and is the very man for creating an original part, such as that of Dan'l Druce." and described one scene as "an acting hit by Mr. Hermann Vezin which literally electrified the house."[2]
He was one of W. S. Gilbert's favourite actors.[3] and, besides the aforementioned Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith, he also starred in Gilbert's Randall's Thumb, (1871),[3] and played Mousta in an 1882 revival of Broken Hearts alongside, due to an accident incapacitating Kyrle Bellew, Gilbert himself as Florian.[4]
Mary Mannering was one of Vezin's elocution pupils.
[edit] References
- ^ Stedman, Jane W. (1996). W. S. Gilbert, A Classic Victorian & His Theatre. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-816174-3. pp. 141-2
- ^ The Illustrated London News of September 16, 1876, page 275, column 1.
- ^ a b Stedman, Jane W. (1996). W. S. Gilbert, A Classic Victorian & His Theatre. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-816174-3. page 86
- ^ Stedman, Jane W. (1996). W. S. Gilbert, A Classic Victorian & His Theatre. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-816174-3. pp.190-191
