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Mr. Compton, of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as "Touchstone", 1857. Creator: Joseph Swain. Mr. Compton, of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as "Touchstone", 1857. Creator: Joseph Swain
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Mr. Compton, of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as "Touchstone", 1857. Creator: Joseph Swain. Mr. Compton, of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as "Touchstone", 1857. Creator: Joseph Swain
Mr. Compton, of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as "Touchstone", 1857. Portrait from a photograph by Mayall. Henry Compton...has played the whole of that fine round of characters which are familiar to us as the clowns of Shakspeare...he has shown a decided originality of conception, and...a marvellous force of dry humour, such as we can imagine Shakspeare himself intended. That his acting is perfectly natural let any one say who have seen his Touchstone, in "As You Like It"...Shakspeare has placed some of his finest philosophy in the mouths of his clowns; they are not buffoons...but philosophers in the guise of dependents or jesters. They are characters requiring the highest histrionic ability to realise...the accomplished comedian...invests the simplest character with the exact force and individuality intended by the author. Mr. Compton has proved himself singularly efficient in this respect'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857
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As You Like It Clown Comedy Comic Comical Entertainer Jester Jesters Hat John Jabez Edwin Mayall John Jabez Edwin Paisley Mayall John Mayall Joseph Swain Mayall John Mayall John Jabez Edwin Mayall John Jabez Edwin Paisley Shakespeare Shakespeare William Shakespearean Shakespearian Shakspeare Swain Joseph William Shakespeare Henry Compton Wood Engraving
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken by the renowned English photographer Frederick Scott Archer's protégé, Joseph Swain, captures the enigmatic and talented Henry Compton in the role of Touchstone from Shakespeare's "As You Like It," performed at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1857. Compton, a distinguished actor of his time, had already made a name for himself by portraying a wide range of Shakespearean clowns with remarkable originality and dry wit. The Illustrated London News praised Compton's ability to bring these complex characters to life, stating that he "has shown a decided originality of conception, and...a marvellous force of dry humour, such as we can imagine Shakspeare himself intended." Touchstone, a philosophical clown, was no exception. The newspaper further commended Compton for his natural and authentic portrayal of the character, noting that "any one say who have seen his Touchstone, in 'As You Like It,' will testify to the fact that his acting is perfectly natural." Shakespeare's clowns were not mere buffoons, but philosophers in disguise. They required the highest level of histrionic ability to bring their complexities to the fore. Compton's exceptional talent allowed him to invest even the simplest of characters with the exact force and individuality intended by the author. This photograph is a testament to Compton's remarkable ability to captivate audiences with his nuanced and authentic portrayals of Shakespeare's beloved clowns.
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