3-038-995 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mr. Samuel Phelps as Sir Pertinax Macsycophant, 1871. 'We present a character portrait of Mr. Phelps, to whom the cause of dramatic legitimacy is so much indebted. His most powerful and significant assumption is generally acknowledged to be Sir Pertinax Macsycophant, in Macklin's famous drama, "The Man of the World." This drama is one of extraordinary excellence, and stands out among the masterpieces of the theatre...It is a grand old work, with a comic plot, but a tragic intensity, and a severity of treatment which lifts it far above the aims of more modern writers...Mr. Phelps's career has been peculiar. Settling down early in the management of Sadler's Wells, with a determination to devote his energies to the business of Shakspearean revivals, he pursued his purpose patiently and persistently for many years, and then commenced a system of starring sufficiently profitable to enable him to remain in England and command remunerative engagement. Mr. Phelps, accordingly, has not been under the necessity of visiting the colonies or roughing it out in Australia and the United States. This is a remarkable circumstance, and testifies to an amount of sterling and steady-going merit, distinguishing him from the other great actors of the day'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.