In his “Reminiscences” of the late Sir Henry Irving, says the London
Academy, Joseph Hatton gives an anecdote which shows the great actor in
the role of a humorist:
A widow of an old Lyceum servant applied to him for some sort of
occupation about the theater, whereby she might earn a living.
Irving appealed to Loveday, the manager.
“There is absolutely no vacancy of any kind,” said Loveday.
“Can’t you give her a job to look after the theater cats? I
think we’ve too many mice about, not to mention rats.” “No,”
said Loveday, “there are two women already on that job.” “Hum,
ha, let me see,” said Irving, reflectively, then suddenly
brightening with an idea. “Very well, then, give her the job of
looking after the two women who are looking after the cats.” The
widow was at once engaged on the permanent staff of the theater.
(1465)