Caroline Hill
Encyclopedia
Caroline Hill was an English actress.
and began to act as a child, in about 1861, in roles such as Mamilius in A Winter's Tale and Arthur in The Life and Death of King John, in the company of Samuel Phelps
at Sadler's Wells Theatre
. Later, she joined the company of J. B. Buckstone at the Haymarket Theatre
, where she created original roles, earning critical praise. These included roles in The Favourite of Fortune (1866), Mary Warner (1869), The Palace of Truth
(1870; Mirza) and Pygmalion and Galatea (1871; as Cynisca), the last two by W. S. Gilbert
). She also appeared in a revival of All for Her by John Palgrave Simpson
and Herman Charles Merivale
. At the Duke's Theatre in 1879, she appeared in New Babylon by Paul Meritt.
. The following year, she played Fanny Gainsborough in The Pulse of New York, then appeared in Confusion and Old Love Letters, together with her husband, at the Park Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. She portrayed Lady Hilda in Broken Hearts
, by W. S. Gilbert, at the Madison Square Theatre in 1885. The next year, she starred as the wife of the title character in Jim, the Penman in a summer tour.
Hill returned to England in the early 1890s when her marriage with Kelcey ended. In 1892, she played Lady Jones in The Guardsman by George R. Sims and Cecil Raleigh
at the Court Theatre. She was still living in 1920.
Early life and career
Hill was born in YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and began to act as a child, in about 1861, in roles such as Mamilius in A Winter's Tale and Arthur in The Life and Death of King John, in the company of Samuel Phelps
Samuel Phelps
Samuel Phelps was an English actor and theatre manager...
at Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
. Later, she joined the company of J. B. Buckstone at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
, where she created original roles, earning critical praise. These included roles in The Favourite of Fortune (1866), Mary Warner (1869), The Palace of Truth
The Palace of Truth
The Palace of Truth is a three-act blank verse "Fairy Comedy" by W. S. Gilbert first produced at the Haymarket Theatre in London on 19 November 1870, partly adapted from Madame de Genlis's fairy story, Le Palais de Vérite. The play ran for approximately 140 performances and then toured the British...
(1870; Mirza) and Pygmalion and Galatea (1871; as Cynisca), the last two by W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his fourteen comic operas produced in collaboration with the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan, of which the most famous include H.M.S...
). She also appeared in a revival of All for Her by John Palgrave Simpson
John Palgrave Simpson
John Palgrave Simpson was a Victorian playwright. He wrote more than fifty pieces in a variety of genres, including dramas, comedies, operas, and spectacles, between 1850 and 1885. Simpson also published novels, travel books and journalistic commentaries...
and Herman Charles Merivale
Herman Charles Merivale
Herman Charles Merivale MA was an English dramatist and poet, son of Herman Merivale. He also used the punning pseudonym Felix Dale....
. At the Duke's Theatre in 1879, she appeared in New Babylon by Paul Meritt.
New York and later years
Hill married actor Herbert Kelcey (1856–1917). Invited to New York with her husband by Lester Wallack, in 1883, Hill was a success in the role of Lady Dolly Vanderdecken in "Moths," at Wallack's TheatreWallack's Theatre
Wallack’s Theatre , located on 254 West 42nd Street in New York, United States, was opened on December 5, 1904 by Oscar Hammerstein I. Wallack’s was Hammerstein’s 8th production theatre and was originally known as the "Lew Fields'", a name that Hammerstein gave it in recognition of his favourite...
. The following year, she played Fanny Gainsborough in The Pulse of New York, then appeared in Confusion and Old Love Letters, together with her husband, at the Park Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. She portrayed Lady Hilda in Broken Hearts
Broken Hearts
Broken Hearts is a blank verse play by W. S. Gilbert in three acts styled "An entirely original fairy play". It opened at the Royal Court Theatre in London on 9 December 1875, running for three months, and toured the provinces in 1876...
, by W. S. Gilbert, at the Madison Square Theatre in 1885. The next year, she starred as the wife of the title character in Jim, the Penman in a summer tour.
Hill returned to England in the early 1890s when her marriage with Kelcey ended. In 1892, she played Lady Jones in The Guardsman by George R. Sims and Cecil Raleigh
Cecil Raleigh
Cecil Raleigh was an English actor and playwright.He was the son of Dr. John Fothergill Rowlands, and took the stage name of Raleigh...
at the Court Theatre. She was still living in 1920.
External links
- Caroline Hill at Picturehistory.com