(1854 - 1928)
Robert Mantell was a popular Shakespearean actor. Born in Scotland in 1854, he served as an apprentice in the English provinces to Barry Sullivan, Samuel Phelps, Alice Marriott, Ellen Wallis, and John Ryder from 1876 until 1882, when he moved to the U.S. 1 He began performing on Broadway on October 1, 1883, playing Count Loris Ipanoff in Fedora. In 1886, Gus Pitou signed Mantell to a five-year contract and planned to feature him in classical pieces; instead Mantell began to work on popular melodramas from decades earlier. 2 His career floundered during this time, but he experienced a renaissance on stage beginning in 1898. The change in critical response to his work coincided with his return to Shakespearean material. 3 He founded the Robert B. Mantell Repertoire, which would produce many of the Shakespearean plays for which he would become known. His Shakespearean repertory company's first production was Richard III, produced at the Princess Theatre in December, 1904. Mantell played the title character, as well as the title characters in Othello and Richelieu, which were running in repertoire with Richard III. He last played a Shakespearean role in New York City in 1919. During these fifteen years, he visited Broadway nine times, giving approximately 275 Shakespearean performances. 4 When he died in 1928, he had appeared in approximately 4,900 Shakespearean performances, possibly more than any American in the history of the stage. 5
When not in New York City, Mantell's Repertoire toured the U.S. with his Shakespearean productions. Robert Mantell appeared at the Valentine Theatre in late October, 1902 for a production of The Dagger and the Cross. While in Toledo, he injured his shoulder in a staged sword fight. 6 According to a New York Times article, Mantell "submitted to an X ray operation in his apartments at the Tavern Hotel here." 7 The shoulder was enflamed, but did not require him to cancel his performances here or in Cincinnati the following week.
1. Favorini 405
2. Favorini 405
3. Favorini 406-407
4. Favorini 413
5. Favorini 413
6. New York Times 31 Oct 1902.
7. New York Times 29 Oct 1902.
Resources
"Internet Broadway Database: Robert B. Mantell Credits on Broadway." IBDB. http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?id=68220.
This website provides a complete list of Mantell's productions in New York City, giving opening and closing dates when possible.
Favorini, Attilio. "'Richard's Himself Again!' Robert Mantell's Shakespearean Debut in New York City." Educational Theatre Journal 24.4 (1972): 402-414.
An excellent article that details Mantell's personal life and professional accomplishments.
"Robert Mantell Not Ill." The New York Times. 31 Oct 1902.
A small article from the newspaper that mentions Mantell's appearance in Toledo.
"X Ray Operation on Robert Mantell." The New York Times. 29 Oct 1902.
Another small article that places Mantell in the Toledo area for a performance.