R. H. Burnside
Encyclopedia
Robert Hubber Thorne Burnside (August 13, 1873 – September 14, 1952) was an American actor, director, producer, composer, and playwright. He was artistic director of the 5,200-seat New York Hippodrome
from 1908 to 1923. He wrote and staged hundreds of dramas, musicals and theatrical spectacles.
. His father was George Burnside, a manager of the Gaiety Theatre in Glasgow. His mother was Margaret (née Thorne), an actress, whose father was William Hubberthorne, a theatre proprietor. His siblings were Janet Agnes (born about 1853), John, Ann R., Isabella, and George. Burnside attended the Great Yarmouth Academy.
in a royal command performance, starring Edward O'Connor Terry
, before the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII
.
According to his passport application, he arrived in New York in October 1894, invited by Lillian Russell
to direct her productions. Beginning in 1900, he directed musical theatre
at the New York Hippodrome
and at other Broadway theatre
s. He was artistic director of the 5,200-seat New York Hippodrome
from 1908 to 1923. He composed the scores, wrote the librettos for, and directed the Broadway productions The Tourists, Fascinating Flora (which he also produced), Jack o' Lantern, Happy Days, Good Times, Tip Top and Better Times. The New York Times
praised his book for the musical Miss Billions in 1919. He was the librettist and director for A Trip to Japan (1909, which he also produced), The International Cup, Chin Chin, Hip Hip Hooray!, The Big Show, Cheer Up, Everything, Stepping Stones, and Three Cheers. He also directed the Broadway productions of others' works, such as The Emerald Isle
(1902), The Earl and the Girl
(1905) and many others. He joined ASCAP in 1914 as a charter member and collaborated with such composers as Raymond Hubbell and Gustave Kerker
. His most famous songs were "You Can't Beat the Luck of the Irish", "Ladder of Roses", "Nice to Have a Sweetheart" and "Annabelle Jerome". In 1935, 1942 and 1944, he staged many revivals of Gilbert and Sullivan
on Broadway.
One of the more unusual recordings from a musical is the recording "The Ladder of Roses" from Hip-Hip-Hooray. Recorded June 20, 1916 and released several months later as Columbia A-2057, the recording is not just a rendering of the song but a supposed rehearsal with Burnside in charge. He offers pointed and humorous criticism of the women's chorus who finally sing the song's refrain at the recording's conclusion. During the course of Burnside's speech, he introduces double entendre
s referencing some of the notable Hippodrome shows such as Chin-Chin, Stop, Look, Listen and Cheer-Up. Here are two brief excerpts of his near-monologue:
Another excerpt:
This recording was reissued in the 1990s on the set Music from the New York Stage, 1890-1920 volume 3 (disc 2, track 17).
In 1924, he directed the film Manhattan.
, a theatrical club, from 1918 to 1921.
Burnside became a naturalized American citizen in Manhattan on July 3, 1917. His wife Katherine died in 1940.
Burnside died at the Middlesex Nursing Home, Metuchen, New Jersey
.
. Upon his death, the material – including a vast amount of correspondence, business records, scripts, costume designs and other material – was donated to The New York Public Library
. Business records and correspondence are in the Manuscripts Division; scripts, production notes and designs are in the Billy Rose Theatre Division, and musical scores are held in the Music Division.
New York Hippodrome
The Hippodrome Theatre, also called the New York Hippodrome, was a theatre in New York City from 1905 to 1939, located on Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan. It was called the world's largest theatre by its builders and had a seating capacity of...
from 1908 to 1923. He wrote and staged hundreds of dramas, musicals and theatrical spectacles.
Biography
Burnside was born in Glasgow, ScotlandGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. His father was George Burnside, a manager of the Gaiety Theatre in Glasgow. His mother was Margaret (née Thorne), an actress, whose father was William Hubberthorne, a theatre proprietor. His siblings were Janet Agnes (born about 1853), John, Ann R., Isabella, and George. Burnside attended the Great Yarmouth Academy.
Career
As a child Burnside traveled on theatrical tours with his mother. His first stage appearance was as a dog in The Bohemian GirlThe Bohemian Girl
The Bohemian Girl is an opera composed by Michael William Balfe with a libretto by Alfred Bunn. The plot is loosely based on a Cervantes tale, La Gitanilla.The opera was first produced in London at the Drury Lane Theatre on November 27, 1843...
in a royal command performance, starring Edward O'Connor Terry
Edward O'Connor Terry
Edward O'Connor Terry , English actor, who became one of the most influential actors and comedians of the Victorian era.-Life and career:...
, before the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
.
According to his passport application, he arrived in New York in October 1894, invited by Lillian Russell
Lillian Russell
Lillian Russell was an American actress and singer. She became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th century and early 20th century, known for her beauty and style, as well as for her voice and stage presence.Russell was born in Iowa but raised in Chicago...
to direct her productions. Beginning in 1900, he directed musical theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
at the New York Hippodrome
New York Hippodrome
The Hippodrome Theatre, also called the New York Hippodrome, was a theatre in New York City from 1905 to 1939, located on Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan. It was called the world's largest theatre by its builders and had a seating capacity of...
and at other Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
s. He was artistic director of the 5,200-seat New York Hippodrome
New York Hippodrome
The Hippodrome Theatre, also called the New York Hippodrome, was a theatre in New York City from 1905 to 1939, located on Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan. It was called the world's largest theatre by its builders and had a seating capacity of...
from 1908 to 1923. He composed the scores, wrote the librettos for, and directed the Broadway productions The Tourists, Fascinating Flora (which he also produced), Jack o' Lantern, Happy Days, Good Times, Tip Top and Better Times. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
praised his book for the musical Miss Billions in 1919. He was the librettist and director for A Trip to Japan (1909, which he also produced), The International Cup, Chin Chin, Hip Hip Hooray!, The Big Show, Cheer Up, Everything, Stepping Stones, and Three Cheers. He also directed the Broadway productions of others' works, such as The Emerald Isle
The Emerald Isle
The Emerald Isle; or, The Caves of Carrig-Cleena, is a two-act comic opera, with music by Arthur Sullivan and Edward German, and a libretto by Basil Hood. It premiered at the Savoy Theatre on 27 April 1901, closing on 9 November 1901 after a run of 205 performances...
(1902), The Earl and the Girl
The Earl and the Girl
The Earl and the Girl is a musical comedy in two acts by Seymour Hicks, with lyrics by Percy Greenbank and music by Ivan Caryll. It was produced by William Greet and opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London on 10 December 1903. It transferred to the Lyric Theatre on 12 September 1904, running for...
(1905) and many others. He joined ASCAP in 1914 as a charter member and collaborated with such composers as Raymond Hubbell and Gustave Kerker
Gustave Kerker
Gustave Adolph Kerker was a German composer and conductor who made a career in London and America. He became a musical director for Broadway theatre productions and wrote the music for a series of musicals.-Life and career:...
. His most famous songs were "You Can't Beat the Luck of the Irish", "Ladder of Roses", "Nice to Have a Sweetheart" and "Annabelle Jerome". In 1935, 1942 and 1944, he staged many revivals of Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the librettist W. S. Gilbert and the composer Arthur Sullivan . The two men collaborated on fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which H.M.S...
on Broadway.
One of the more unusual recordings from a musical is the recording "The Ladder of Roses" from Hip-Hip-Hooray. Recorded June 20, 1916 and released several months later as Columbia A-2057, the recording is not just a rendering of the song but a supposed rehearsal with Burnside in charge. He offers pointed and humorous criticism of the women's chorus who finally sing the song's refrain at the recording's conclusion. During the course of Burnside's speech, he introduces double entendre
Double entendre
A double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
s referencing some of the notable Hippodrome shows such as Chin-Chin, Stop, Look, Listen and Cheer-Up. Here are two brief excerpts of his near-monologue:
- BURNSIDE: How many absences Mr. Stewart? Only one? Ah - Cleopatra Cassidy again! Wonder what the excuse will be this time. I suppose she's had a fire in her house and she's waiting for the engines to arrive. Ah, here she is now. Good morning, Cleopatra. What's the trouble this time? Subway tied up again? No? Well, what happened? You're fifteen minutes late and everybody's waiting for you. What's that?
- CLEOPATRA: Had some trouble with my motor again!
- BURNSIDE: Well, you'll have some trouble with your salary again at the end of the week. Now come along everybody and let's get this rehearsal started. (girls start talking noisely among themselves) Stop talking girls! This isn't a suffragette meeting.
Another excerpt:
- BURNSIDE: Now stop, look, and listen all of you. The singing last night was awful. You must pay more attention to the musical director. All except you, Agnes - you're paying too much attention to him. If you don't stop it I'll call his wife's attention to you!
This recording was reissued in the 1990s on the set Music from the New York Stage, 1890-1920 volume 3 (disc 2, track 17).
In 1924, he directed the film Manhattan.
Personal
In 1905, Burnside married Katherine. The couple had three daughters, Catherine, born about 1907, Helen Marguerite, born March 1, 1912, and Betty, born about 1914. Helen married George Edward Blewitt on September 21, 1935. Burnside was the president (Shepherd) of The LambsThe Lambs
The Lambs, Inc., is one of America's oldest theatrical organizations and is based in New York City.-History:The Lambs was originally founded in 1868 in London by actors, led by John Hare, the first Shepherd, looking to socialize with like-minded people...
, a theatrical club, from 1918 to 1921.
Burnside became a naturalized American citizen in Manhattan on July 3, 1917. His wife Katherine died in 1940.
Burnside died at the Middlesex Nursing Home, Metuchen, New Jersey
Metuchen, New Jersey
Metuchen is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States, which is 8 miles northeast of New Brunswick, 18 miles southwest of Newark, 24 miles southwest of Jersey City, and 29 miles southwest of Manhattan, all part of the New York metropolitan area...
.
Legacy
Because of his position as director and producer at the Hippodrome, Burnside inherited the legacies of Charles Dillingham and Charles FrohmanCharles Frohman
Charles Frohman was an American theatrical producer. Frohman was producing plays by 1889 and acquired his first Broadway theatre by 1892. He discovered and promoted many stars of the American theatre....
. Upon his death, the material – including a vast amount of correspondence, business records, scripts, costume designs and other material – was donated to The New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
. Business records and correspondence are in the Manuscripts Division; scripts, production notes and designs are in the Billy Rose Theatre Division, and musical scores are held in the Music Division.