The Era - October 28, 1893

Death of Mr T C King

We regret to announce the death of Mr T C King, the veteran tragedian, who passed away on Saturday last at his residence, Osborne Villa, Alcester Road, King’s Heath, Birmingham. He had been suffering a long time from the decay of his natural powers. Mr King was born in Cheltenham in 1825, (Actually this date is wrong and he was in fact born 1818 M.L.) consequently at the time of his death he was in his sixty-ninth year. (seventy-fith year M.L.) When quite a boy he displayed remarkable talents as an amateur, while at the age of fifteen he budded forth as a professional actor, and made his first appearance on the stage in his native town. After touring in some of the smaller places in minor dramas and operettas, Mr King, upon the recommendation of his manager, Mr Alexander Lee (who afterwards became manager of Drury-lane theatre) was engaged by the late Mr Mercer Simpson and under the Simpson and Munro management, he remained a member of the old stock company for a couple of seasons at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham, which was recognised as one of the finest schools for actors in the provinces. It is interesting to note that in the salary list of the Theatre Royal for the ‘Winter season of 1844,’ Mr King was in receipt of 30s per week. He played many small parts in Shakespearean and other dramas, and always played them conscientiously and well. His first appearance in Birmingham was as Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, to the Romeo of Mr William Montague, father of ‘Bath’ Montague and the Juliet of Miss Emmaline Montague who afterwards became Mrs Compton.

Right - Bill for a Benefit for T.C. King, at the Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street. T.C. King was Arthur Lloyd's wife, Katty King's father. - Click to enlarge. The poster is one of a large collection of original Lloyd Posters collected since the mid 1800s by members of the family and found recently after being lost for 50 years. To see all these posters click the Poster Index here...

Among his early associates at the Theatre Royal were Creswick, Webb, Conway, Ridgway, John Barton, Cook, Atkins and other sterling comedians and tragedians; while Mr Alfred Mellon was leader of the orchestra. He thus began his real career in the best class company. ‘That was the school for a young actor.’ Mr King used to say, with sparkling eyes, ‘and in the two years I stayed with Mr Simpson, I learned much.’ As a proof of the calibre of the work the stock company at the Royal did, we may mention that during the year Shakespeare held the stage for six-months out of the twelve. They got plenty of diversity though and Mr King was wont to speak in glowing terms of the appearance in pantomime of three tragedians such as Mead, Swinburne and himself. Mead was cast for the part of a comic Quaker, who walked demurely across the stage until he suddenly stepped inside the clown’s magic circle, when he at once began to dance. ‘I’ said King, ‘was a magician, and went down a trap.’ King’s reputation as a Shakespearean actor rapidly became established, and after fulfilling an engagement in the York theatrical circuit he was again sought after by old Mr Simpson, and appeared as the leading man at the Theatre Royal with exceedingly gratifying results to himself and the management. He became very popular with the Birmingham public, and subsequently, when he transferred his services to the Edinburgh stage, his success was not less pronounced. A funny story is told of his re-engagement by Mr Simpson. King’s success at York had been so great that Mr Simpson sought him out, and mentioned his want of a leading man for the coming season. He concluded- ‘If you care to come I will give you one hundred shillings a-week, sir’. ‘A sum,’ said Mr King, ‘which appeared so vast in comparison with the five pounds it represented that I closed with him at once.’

It was at Edinburgh, under the management of Mr Murray that the late Mr Charles Kean became impressed with the high talents of the young tragedian, and offered him a three years’ engagement at the Princess’s Theatre, London, in his series of Shakespearean revivals.

Left - Bill for a Benefit for T.C. King, at the National Standard Theatre, Shoreditch. T.C. King was Arthur Lloyd's wife, Katty King's father. - Click to enlarge. The poster is one of a large collection of original Lloyd Posters collected since the mid 1800s by members of the family and found recently after being lost for 50 years. To see all these posters click the Poster Index here...

Mr King accepted, and during the engagement he had the honour of appearing with Mr and Mrs Charles Kean ‘by command’ at a Royal entertainment at Windsor Castle on Jan 31st, 1858, when As You Like It was played before the Queen, the Price Consort and the Court. On June 12th, 1856, Mr King made his first appearance in Birmingham as a ‘star’ actor, and later the same year he appeared as Hamlet for the first time on the local boards. He also gained popularity as Claude Melnotte, Richard the Third, Sir Giles Overeach and Rolla; and in 1851 he made a remarkable hit as Mephistopheles in a version of Faust and Marguerite, produced by Dion Boucicault at the Princess’s Theatre. Mr King was a favourite in all the large towns, and especially in Dublin. It was while lying, and at death’s door, as everyone thought that the incident occurred with Gustavus Vaughan Brooke without which no sketch of King’s career would be complete. Prone, and sick unto death, he was visited by his old friends, Brooke, Harry Webb and Tom Powrie. ‘Gus’ had come to wish ‘Tom’ goodbye before he set sail in the London for Australia. After the three had done their utmost to cheer the sufferer, Gus said, ‘Clear out boys, I want to speak to Tom. The boys accordingly ‘cleared’ and the two old and steadfast friends were alone. ‘Now look here, old man,’ said Brooke, ‘a fellow can’t be on his back so many months without getting under the weather. Take this as a parting gift.’ So saying, he tried to thrust a roll of Irish banknotes into the sick man’s hand. His comrade assured him that he was all right; the children were earning money, and he could not take it. Brooke appeared disappointed, but put his arm’s round the other’s neck and said, ‘Kiss me, old fellow; good-bye.’ The tears came into both their eyes. At this moment the others returned into the room, Powrie asking in tragic fashion, ‘When shall we three meet again?’ As they left after bidding King, ‘Goodbye!’ he heard Brooke say, ‘Poor Tom, I fear he’s booked for kingdom come. We shall never see him more.’ And they never did. In less than twelve-months, those three men had joined the great majority; whilst King was able to walk abroad again.

During his career Mr King was the associate of many of the great actors of the past. He lodged with Robson in Dublin, before the later became the Queen’s favourite comedian. Kean and Keeley, Phelps, the Webbs, and Atkins, Miss Glyn, Celeste, and Miss Cleveland - he could talk of them all. Of his own impersonation he liked Othello best; but his motto was, ‘The way to play what you like is to like what you play.’

Mr King had two daughters, one of whom (Katty King) married Mr Arthur Lloyd; the other remained with her father until his death. He was interred on Friday in the churchyard of Claines near Worcester.

The Era October 28th 1893.