HERBERT TREE (COLLECTION)
10/06/2025
HERBERT BEERBOHM
Card n.6 PAST & PRESENT - JOHN PLAYER & SONS
HERBERT BEERBOHM TREE: THE FIRST SVENGALI OF THEATRE
Herbert Beerbohm Tree: The First Svengali of the Theater In the theater scene of the late nineteenth century, few actor-managers managed to leave such an indelible mark as Herbert Beerbohm Tree. Celebrated for his transformative performances, his spectacular sets and his commitment to the spread of theater, Tree was the first to bring to the stage a character that would fascinate audiences for decades: Svengali, the disturbing hypnotist of Trilby. Who was Svengali? Trilby, a novel by George du Maurier published in 1894, tells the story of an innocent young woman, Trilby, who falls under the influence of Svengali, a mysterious and manipulative music teacher. With his hypnotic power, Svengali transforms Trilby into an extraordinary singer, but at the cost of her freedom and will. The figure of Svengali quickly became iconic as the archetype of the sinister, charismatic hypnotist, and the term entered common parlance to describe manipulative and controlling individuals. The First Stage Performance Once the novel was a runaway success, it was not long before it was adapted for the stage. In 1895, Herbert Beerbohm Tree brought Trilby to the stage at London’s Haymarket Theatre, playing the role of Svengali with a magnetic intensity and grotesque appearance that impressed audiences. Tree, renowned for his skill with stage makeup and physical transformation, accentuated the character’s unsettling nature with a contorted posture, a gaunt face, and a performance that veered between comical and terrifying. His Svengali was not just a stage villain: he was a hypnotic presence that dominated the stage, captivating the viewer just as Trilby’s influence captivated him. Impact on Popular Culture Tree's portrayal of Svengali helped establish him as one of the most memorable characters in British theatre. The success of the play led to numerous subsequent productions, and Svengali became a recurring character on film and television, with adaptations that maintained the legacy of the original performer. The Haymarket Theatre production also demonstrated Tree's ability to transform folk tales into grand theatrical events, combining spectacular stage effects with unforgettable performances. For Victorian audiences, seeing Svengali and Trilby on stage was a mesmerising, almost hypnotic experience. Conclusion Herbert Beerbohm Tree was not only the first Svengali, but also the one who defined the character for generations of actors after him. Through his portrayal, Trilby became a theatrical classic, and Svengali's shadow continued to loom over popular culture. Even today, the influence of Svengali and the talent of Tree remain etched in the history of theatre, testifying to the power of an interpretation capable of capturing and disturbing the audience with a single glance.