Thom's Irish Who's Who/Doran, Charles

DORAN, Charles; b. Cork; son of Charles Jenkins Doran; began his stage career with Sir Frank, then Mr. F. R. Benson, on the introduction of Dr. G. F. Shaw, of Trinity, at the Theatre Royal, Belfast (after a strenuous Amateur experience in Dublin): first London appearance February 1900 at the Lyceum Theatre in "Henry V." in the part of MacMorris; after remaining with the Benson Co. 2½ years, toured in leading parts in a modern repertoire; joined Sir Herbert Tree to play Professor Grossinovitch in Tolstoy's "Resurrection"; created the part of St. Juste in Lena Ashwells' production of "La Montansier"; went to Fred Terry and Miss Julia Neilson to play the Count de Turionai at the New Theatre in "The Scarlet Pimpernel"; visited America and Canada, 1906, with the late H. B. Irving in a Lyceum repertoire; 1907, went to South Africa as Mrs. Brown Potter's leading man playing Joseph Surface, Philip Derblay ("Iron Master") Jacques ("As You Like It") &c., &c. Returning to England in 1908, again joined the Benson Co. to play "Hamlet," "Shylock," "Macbeth," "Petruchio," &c., &c.; then followed a short tour with Mrs. Patrick Campbell as Rev. Geo. Trist in Sir A. W. Pinero's "Thunderbolt," and Capt. Ardale in "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray," 1909; engaged by Oscar Ashe and Lily Brayton to create the part of La Tribe in Weyman's "Count Hannibal"; toured Australia in the Asche Brayton Co. playing Antonio ("Merchant"), Tranio ("Shrew"), Montano ("Othello"), &c., &c.; returned to London, 1910, opened at the New Theatre as La Tribe in "Count Hannibal," 1911; appeared as Pistol ("Merry Wives,") Garrick, also as The Man Mahmud in the production of "Kismet"; engaged (1912) by the late Charles Frohman to create the part of Colonel The Hon. Sir Arthur Stidulph in Pinero's "Mind The Paint Girl" at the Duke of York's Theatre, Autumn, 1912; engaged by Sir Herbert Tree to play Brewer, and understudy the title-role in "Drake" at His Majesty's; played Drake several times; 1913, returned to the Duke of York's to create Lee Sin in "The Yellow Jacket; Autumn, 1913, toured as Scrooge with Ellaline Terris; 1914, created the part of Levin at the Ambassadors Theatre with Lydie Yavorska. Returned to His Majesty's for the revival of "Drake"; subsequently played Douglas in Tree's revival of "Henry IV." Xmas., 1914, played The Constable of France in the Benson revival of "Henry V." at the Shaftesbury; rejoined Oscar Asche and Lily Brayton for a short tour of Hagg in the Music Halls; 1915, engaged by Sir Herbert Tree to create the part of Sir Charles Berkeley in Parker's play "Mavourneen"; 1916, engaged by Miss Horniman. Gaiety, Manchester, for a special season; returned to His Majesty's to Mr. Arthur Bourchier for his production of "Claude Duval": subsequently played The Crown Prosecutor in "The Arm of the Law"; The Aristocrat in "The Sacrament of Judas," and Captain MacKenzie in "Doctor Johnson"; engaged by Charles Cochran to play The Republican in "Class" at the Ambassadors, 1919: organised The Charles Doran Shakespearean Co., and has toured since with same, making history as an exponent of Shakespeare and the classical drama. Visited Opera House, Belfast, and Gaiety, Dublin, November, 1921; made a sensational success; favourite part "Hamlet." Recns.: walking and resting. Address: Green Room Club, 46 Leicester Square, London, W.C.2.