Leopold Davis Lewis
Encyclopedia
Leopold Davis Lewis was an English dramatist.
Lewis was born in London
and educated at the King's College School
, and upon graduation became a solicitor
, practising as such from 1850 to 1875. In 1871, he translated Erckmann-Chatrian's Le Juif Polonais
, giving it the name The Bells
, under which name it was produced by Henry Irving
at the Lyceum Theatre, London, November 25, 1871, and repeatedly thereafter.
The Bells was Lewis' first play, and his only success. Original plays from the pen of Lewis are: "The Wandering Jew" (Adelphi Theatre
, April 14, 1873); "Give a Dog a Bad Name" (ib. November 18, 1873); and "The Foundlings" (Sadler's Wells Theatre
, October 8, 1881). From February to December 1868 he and Alfred Thompson conducted a monthly, The Mask, which failed. In addition to the plays mentioned Lewis wrote a number of tales under the title A Peal of Merry Bells (1880).
Lewis never got used to the success of The Bells
, and although Irving did everything he could for him, Lewis became a man with a grievance, totally convinced that the success of The Bells was due to his adapation rather than Irving's performance.
Lewis was found late one night seriously ill in Gray's Inn Road
and was taken to the Royal Free Hospital
where he died on February 23 1890.
Lewis was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and educated at the King's College School
King's College School
King's College School, commonly referred to as KCS, King's, or KCS Wimbledon, is an independent school for day pupils in Wimbledon in south-west London. The school was founded as the junior department of King's College London and occupied part of its premises in Strand, before relocating to...
, and upon graduation became a solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
, practising as such from 1850 to 1875. In 1871, he translated Erckmann-Chatrian's Le Juif Polonais
Le Juif polonais
Le Juif Polonais is an opera in three acts by Camille Erlanger composed to a libretto by Henri Cain. The libretto was adapted from the 1867 play of the same name by Erckmann-Chatrian...
, giving it the name The Bells
The Bells (play)
The Bells is a play in three acts by Leopold Davis Lewis which was one of the greatest successes of the British actor Henry Irving. The play opened on November 25 1871 at the Lyceum Theatre in London and initially ran for 151 performances...
, under which name it was produced by Henry Irving
Henry Irving
Sir Henry Irving , born John Henry Brodribb, was an English stage actor in the Victorian era, known as an actor-manager because he took complete responsibility for season after season at the Lyceum Theatre, establishing himself and his company as...
at the Lyceum Theatre, London, November 25, 1871, and repeatedly thereafter.
The Bells was Lewis' first play, and his only success. Original plays from the pen of Lewis are: "The Wandering Jew" (Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a 1500-seat West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiving house for a variety of productions, including many musicals...
, April 14, 1873); "Give a Dog a Bad Name" (ib. November 18, 1873); and "The Foundlings" (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...
, October 8, 1881). From February to December 1868 he and Alfred Thompson conducted a monthly, The Mask, which failed. In addition to the plays mentioned Lewis wrote a number of tales under the title A Peal of Merry Bells (1880).
Lewis never got used to the success of The Bells
The Bells (play)
The Bells is a play in three acts by Leopold Davis Lewis which was one of the greatest successes of the British actor Henry Irving. The play opened on November 25 1871 at the Lyceum Theatre in London and initially ran for 151 performances...
, and although Irving did everything he could for him, Lewis became a man with a grievance, totally convinced that the success of The Bells was due to his adapation rather than Irving's performance.
Lewis was found late one night seriously ill in Gray's Inn Road
Gray's Inn Road
Gray's Inn Road, formerly Gray's Inn Lane, is a major road in central London, in the London Borough of Camden. It is named after Gray's Inn, one of the main Inns of Court. The road starts in Holborn, near Chancery Lane tube station and the boundaries of the City of London and the London Borough...
and was taken to the Royal Free Hospital
Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London, England and part of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
where he died on February 23 1890.