View source for Nigel Playfair

{{short description|English actor-manager (1874–1934)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2021}}
[[File:Nigel Playfair.jpg|thumb|right|Playfair in 1922]]
'''Sir Nigel Ross Playfair''' (1 July 1874 – 19 August 1934) was an English actor and director, known particularly as [[actor-manager]] of the [[Lyric Hammersmith|Lyric Theatre]], [[Hammersmith]], in the 1920s.

After acting as an amateur while practising as a lawyer, he turned professional in 1902 when he was 28. After a time in [[Frank Benson (actor)|F. R. Benson's]] company he made steady professional progress as an actor, but the major change in his career came in 1918, when he became managing director of the Lyric, a run-down theatre on the fringe of central London. He transformed the theatre's fortunes, with a mix of popular musical shows and classic comedies, some in radically innovative productions, which divided opinion at the time but which have subsequently been seen as introducing a modern style of staging.

==Life==

=== Family background ===
Playfair was born in the parish of [[St George Hanover Square]], [[Westminster]], on 1 July 1874, the younger son of the five children of the [[obstetric]] physician [[William Smoult Playfair]] (1835–1903), and his wife, Emily, ''née'' Kitson (1841–1916).<ref name=odnb>Sharp, Robert. [https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-3554 "Playfair, Sir Nigel Ross (1874–1934), actor and theatre manager"],  ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2021 {{ODNBsub}}</ref> The ''[[Dictionary of National Biography|Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]'' says that the doctor is notable nowadays for "his unintended contribution to medical ethics" by breaching the confidentiality of one of his patients, and for popularising the [[Silas Weir Mitchell (physician)|Weir Mitchell]] "[[Bed rest|rest-cure]]", a treatment criticised by [[Charlotte Perkins Gilman|Charlotte Perkin Gilman]] in ''[[The Yellow Wallpaper]]''.<ref>{{Cite ODNB |title=Playfair, William Smoult (1835–1903), obstetric physician |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-35541 |access-date=2022-10-09 |year=2004 |language=en |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/35541|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8 }}</ref> Nigel Playfair's paternal uncles included [[Lyon Playfair, 1st Baron Playfair]], scientist and politician, and [[Lambert Playfair]], soldier, diplomat and naturalist. His maternal uncle was [[James Kitson, 1st Baron Airedale]], industrialist and politician, named after his father, Nigel's grandfather, [[James Kitson (businessman)|James Kitson]], the pioneering railway engineer. Nigel's cousin was [[Robert Hawthorn Kitson]], a painter who settled in Taormina, Sicily.

=== Early years ===
He was educated at [[Winchester College|Winchester]], [[Harrow School|Harrow]], and [[University College, Oxford]], where he took a [[British undergraduate degree classification|third-class honours degree]] in modern history (1896).<ref name="odnb" /> At university he was a member of the [[Oxford University Dramatic Society]]. Destined for a career as a lawyer he was [[called to the bar]] by the [[Inner Temple]] in 1900, performing in his spare time with two well-known amateur societies, the [[Old Stagers]] and the Windsor Strollers, before giving up the law for the stage.<ref name="ww" />

Playfair's first professional appearance was in [[Arthur Bourchier]]'s company at the [[Garrick Theatre]], London, in July 1902, playing Mr Melrose in a curtain-raiser, ''A Pair of Knickerbockers''.<ref name=ww>Parker, Gaye and Herbert, pp. 1924–1925</ref> In 1903 he played his first professional Shakespeare role, Dr Caius in [[Herbert Beerbohm Tree]]'s production of ''[[The Merry Wives of Windsor]]'' at [[Her Majesty's Theatre|His Majesty's Theatre]].<ref name=odnb/> At the same time his first play, a one-act piece called ''Amelia'' was staged as a curtain-raiser at the Garrick.<ref>"Theatrical Gossip", ''The Era'', 24 January 1903, p.14</ref> ''[[The Era (newspaper)|The Era]]'' called it "a satire on cheap gentility which would have delighted [[William Makepeace Thackeray|Thackeray]].<ref>"Amelia", ''The Era'', 24 January 1903, p. 15</ref> 
[[File:Midsummer-Night's-Dream-Playfair-1914.png|thumb|upright=2|alt=stage scene with six rustics in approximately Elizabethan costume|Playfair, second from right, as Bottom, 1914.{{refn|The other players are, left to right, [[Leon Quartermaine]] (Flute), [[H. O. Nicholson]] (Starveling), Stratton Rodney (Snout), Arthur Whitby (Quince) and Nevile Gartside (Snug)|group=n}}]]
Playfair joined [[Frank Benson (actor)|F. R. Benson's]] company touring in the West Indies, chiefly in comic Shakespearian parts.<ref name=odnb/> Back in London, in 1904, he first played his favourite role, Ralph, in ''[[The Knight of the Burning Pestle]],'' and created the role of Hodson in [[George Bernard Shaw|Bernard Shaw]]'s ''[[John Bull's Other Island]]'' at the [[Royal Court Theatre|Court Theatre]].<ref name=odnb/>

In 1905 he married the actress Annie Mabel Platts (1875–1948), the daughter of a senior officer in the [[Indian Imperial Police]]; her stage name was May Martyn. They had three sons.<ref name=odnb/>

In 1907 at His Majesty's, Playfair played Stephano in ''[[The Tempest]]'', Clown in ''[[The Winter's Tale]]'' and First Gravedigger in ''[[Hamlet]]'', and in 1910 at the same theatre played the Host in ''[[The Merry Wives of Windsor]]''.<ref name=ww/> His roles between then and the [[First World War]] included Flawner Bannel in ''[[Fanny's First Play]]'' (1911), Steward in ''The Winter's Tale'' (1912), Sir Benjamin Backbite in ''[[The School for Scandal]]'' (1913) and Bottom in ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' (1914).<ref name=ww/> During the war he appeared in light plays, fashionable at that time.<ref name=times>"Obituary: Sir Nigel Playfair", ''The Times'', 20 August 1934, p. 12</ref>

===Lyric, Hammersmith===
in 1918 the author [[Arnold Bennett]], who had been active in the theatre before the war, resumed his theatrical interest. He became chairman, with Playfair as managing director, of the [[Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith]].<ref>"Mr Arnold Bennett's Theatre", ''The Times'', 15 November 1819, p. 3</ref> A biographer of Playfair writes that the Lyric was "a derelict playhouse in what was then little more than a slum … this theatre seemed the last place in the world where high-class entertainment could possibly succeed".<ref>Whitworth, G. A. [https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/odnb/9780192683120.001.0001/odnb-9780192683120-e-35540 "Playfair, Sir Nigel Ross (1874–1934)]," ''Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 1949. Retrieved 25 July 2021. {{ODNBsub}}</ref> But the theatre prospered. Among the productions were ''[[Abraham Lincoln (play)|Abraham Lincoln]]'' by [[John Drinkwater (playwright)|John Drinkwater]], and ''[[The Beggar's Opera]]'', which, in [[Frank Swinnerton]]'s phrase, "caught different moods of the post-war spirit",<ref>Swinnerton, Frank. [https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/odnb/9780192683120.001.0001/odnb-9780192683120-e-30708 "Bennett, (Enoch) Arnold (1867–1931)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603143800/http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/odnb/9780192683120.001.0001/odnb-9780192683120-e-30708 |date=3 June 2018 }}, ''Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 1949. Retrieved 1 June 2020 {{ODNBsub}}</ref> and ran for 466 and 1,463 performances respectively.<ref>Gaye, p. 1528</ref> In ''The Oxford Companion to the Theatre'' (1967) [[Phyllis Hartnoll]] comments that the Lyric became "one of the most popular and stimulating centres of theatrical activity".<ref>Hartnoll, p. 744</ref>
[[File:Nigel-Playfair-Bob-Acres-1925.png|Playfair, left, as Bob Acres in ''[[The Rivals]]'' (1925), with Douglas Burbidge as Jack Absolute|alt=short middle aged white man and tall young one in 18th century wigs and costumes|thumb|left]]
In 1920 Playfair returned to the role of Ralph in ''The Knight of the Burning Pestle''.<ref name=ww/> Over the next twelve years he produced and acted in a wide range of plays. Classics included ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (1924), ''[[The Duenna]]'' (1924), ''[[The Rivals]]'' (1925), ''[[The Beaux' Stratagem]]'' (1927) ''[[She Stoops to Conquer]]'' (1928) and ''[[The Critic (play)|The Critic]]'' (1928).<ref name=ww/> Playfair interspersed the classics with new musical shows with scores by [[Dennis Arundell]], [[Thomas Dunhill]] and [[Alfred Reynolds (composer)|Alfred Reynolds]] and words by himself, [[A. P. Herbert]] and others: ''Riverside Nights'' (1926), ''[[Tantivy Towers]]'' (1931) and ''[[Derby Day (light opera)|Derby Day]]'' (1932).<ref name=odnb/> ''The Times'' commented that these shows demonstrated that Playfair's "special method – a mingling of intimacy, brightness, and burlesque – was not applicable to the classics alone".<ref name=times/> Sharp writes that Playfair gathered "a loyal and happy team of young players, musicians, and designers who, under his genial leadership, not only began to make their reputations and confirm his, but also helped to create a specific Lyric style".<ref name=odnb/>

During his Hammersmith years Playfair continued to be active in other theatres.  He produced ''As You Like It'' for the opening of the Shakespeare Festival at [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] in April 1919, and brought it to the Lyric in April 1920. He played Touchstone, in a production with set and costumes by [[Claud Lovat Fraser]]. It was a radical departure, inspired by the innovative ballet company the [[Ballets Russes]]. At the time, the text was usually heavily cut, but Playfair gave it almost complete.<ref>"Shakespeare Day", ''The Times'', 23 April 1919, p. 16</ref> The scholar [[David Crystal]] describes the production as "bright, dynamic and musical, with young actors". At the time, some theatre-goers resented it,{{refn|In his memoir ''Story of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith'', Playfair recalled, "When Lovat Fraser was walking in the street, a woman came up to him and shook her fist in his face. 'Young man', she said impressively, 'how dare you meddle with our Shakespeare!'"<ref>Quoted in Crystal, p. 91</ref>|group=n}} but Crystal comments that many critics now call it the first modern production of the play.<ref>Crystal, p. 91</ref>

In 1922 Playfair bought a long lease on [[Thurloe Lodge]] in South Kensington. Playfair and his family had previously lived at 26 Pelham Crescent.{{sfn|Playfair|1937|p=55}} He bought the cottages with the proceeds from ''The Beggar's Opera''.<ref name='SurveyLondon'/> Playfair engaged Darcy Braddell to remodel the house.<ref name='SurveyLondon'/> The remodelling had cost twice as much as anticipated, and proved a drain on his finances in the wake of the failure of his light opera ''Midsummer Madness''. Playfair would hold rehearsals for ''Midsummer Madness'' in the garden of Thurloe Lodge.{{sfn|Playfair|1937|p=56}}<ref name='SurveyLondon'>{{cite web|title=Survey of London: Volumes 41, Brompton: The Alexander Estate|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol41/pp58-86#h3-0013|work=[[Survey of London]]|publisher=[[Victoria County History]]|accessdate=7 February 2022}}</ref> The family moved from the house in late 1924 or early 1925.<ref name='SurveyLondon'/>

Playfair was the author of the English acting versions of [[Karel Čapek]]'s ''[[R.U.R.]]'' and (with [[Clifford Bax]]) ''[[Pictures from the Insects' Life|The Insect Play]]'' (both 1923), and he appeared in, and produced, many pieces outside his own theatre, including appearances in ''Prisoners of War'' at the [[Playhouse Theatre]] and ''The Green Hat'' at the [[Adelphi Theatre|Adelphi]] (both 1925), ''The Duchess of Elba'' at the [[Arts Theatre|Arts]] (1927), ''The Lady of the Camellias'' at the Garrick (1930). and ''Vile Bodies'' at the Arts (1931).<ref name=odnb/>

Playfair was prominent in fund-raising for London voluntary hospitals and was a member of the committee of [[King's Fund|King Edward's Hospital Fund]]. He was [[Knight Bachelor|knighted]] in 1928.<ref name=odnb/>
[[File:The grave of Nigel Playfair, Eastern Cemetery, St Andrews.jpg|Commemorative stone, [[St Andrews]]|thumb|upright|alt=engraved stone slab with memorial to Playfair]]
After a short illness and an unsuccessful operation Playfair died at [[King's College Hospital]], London on 19 August 1934, aged 60.<ref name=odnb/> He was cremated and his ashes were buried in the Playfair family vault in [[St Andrews]].<ref>"Sir Nigel Playfair: Ashes to be brought to St Andrews: Family link with town", ''The Evening Telegraph'', Dundee, 20 August 1934, p. 6</ref>

==Legacy==
[[Fortnum & Mason]]s sell a rich, bitter marmalade, made for Playfair since the 1920s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/heres-why-marmalade-is-the-preserve-of-the-gentleman/|title=Here's why marmalade is the preserve of the gentleman|first=The Gentleman's|last=Journal|website=The Gentleman's Journal}}</ref> and named in memory of him.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fortnumandmason.com/sir-nigel-s-marmalade-340g? | title=Sir Nigel's Marmalade, 340g }}</ref>

In 1965, London County Council erected a blue plaque commemorating Playfair at his former home, 26 [[Pelham Crescent, London|Pelham Crescent]], South Kensington.<ref>{{cite web| title= Playfair, Sir Nigel (1874-1934)| url=
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/nigel-playfair/ | website= [[English Heritage]]| accessdate= 5 March 2022 }}</ref>

==Memoirs==
Playfair wrote two volumes of memoirs about the Lyric:
*''The Story of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith'' with an introduction by [[Arnold Bennett]] and an epilogue by [[A. A. Milne]]. (London: [[Chatto & Windus]] 1925) {{oclc|632487376}}
*''Hammersmith Hoy: A Book of Minor Revelations'' (London: [[Faber & Faber]] 1930) {{oclc|1073804225}}

==Films==
Playfair appeared in some films. He made several silents, and what his biographer Robert Sharp calls "four indifferent talkies":<ref name=odnb/>
* ''Princess Clementina'' (1911, short)
* ''[[Lady Windermere's Fan (1916 film)|Lady Windermere's Fan]]'' (1916)
* ''[[Masks and Faces]]'' (1917)
* ''[[Sunken Rocks]]'' (1919)
* ''[[Perfect Understanding]]'' (1933)   
* ''[[Crime on the Hill]]'' (1933)      
* ''[[The Lady Is Willing (1934 film)|The Lady Is Willing]]'' (1934)    
* ''[[Little Stranger (film)|Little Stranger]]'' (1934)
Sharp rates ''Crime on the Hill'' as "perhaps his best, a country-house murder mystery in which he played the murderer.<ref name=odnb/>

==Honours==
*Playfair was knighted in the [[1928 Birthday Honours]], gazetted on 1 June 1928.<ref>"Playfair, Sir Nigel (1 July 1874–19 Aug. 1934) Kt 1928" in ''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who Was Who 1929–1940]]'' (London: A. & C. Black, 1967 reprint: {{ISBN|0-7136-0171-X}})</ref><ref>''[[The London Gazette]]'' Issue 33390, 1 June 1928 (Supplement), [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33390/supplement/3846 p. 3846]</ref>

==Notes, references and sources==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=n}}

===References===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book | last= Crystal | first= David | title= The Shakespeare Miscellany
| year= 2005| location= London| publisher=Penguin | isbn=978-1-58567-716-0 }}
*{{cite book|editor-last= Gaye|editor-first=Freda  |year= 1967|title=Who's Who in the Theatre |edition=fourteenth|location=London |publisher=Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons |oclc=5997224 }}
* {{cite book | last= Hartnoll | first= Phyllis | title= The Oxford Companion to the Theatre
| year=1967| location= London and New York | publisher=Oxford University Press | isbn=978-0-19-211531-7 }}
* {{cite book|last=Parker| first= John|author2=Freda Gaye|author3=Ian Herbert |year= 1978|title=Who Was Who in the Theatre |location= Detroit| publisher=Gale Research |oclc=310466458}}
*{{cite book|last=Playfair|first=Giles|title=My Father's Son|publisher=[[Geoffrey Bles]]|year=1937|oclc=753228702}}

==External links==
{{wikisource|works=or}}

* {{IMDb name|id=0687022|name=Nigel Playfair}}
* {{Gutenberg author | id=50306 |name=Nigel Playfair}}
*[https://www.greatwartheatre.org.uk/db/person/1812/ Play and acting roles on the Great War Theatre website]
* {{IMDb name|id=0687022|name=Nigel Playfair}}
* {{Gutenberg author | id=50306 |name=Nigel Playfair}}
* [http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp03582&rNo=0&role=sit Portrait]
* [https://archive.today/20130819164150/http://www.fortnumandmason.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=5314&SEName=orange-marmalade-sir-nigels-vintage-orange-marmalade Sir Nigel's Vintage Marmalade]
*[https://www.greatwartheatre.org.uk/db/person/1812/ Play and acting roles on the Great War Theatre website]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Playfair, Nigel}}
[[Category:1874 births]]
[[Category:1934 deaths]]
[[Category:Actors awarded knighthoods]]
[[Category:People educated at Harrow School]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College, Oxford]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English theatre managers and producers]]
[[Category:English actor-managers]]
[[Category:Knights Bachelor]]