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C. Hayden Coffin

Charles Hayden Coffin (22 April 1862 – 8 December 1935) was an English actor and singer known for his performances in many famous Edwardian musical comedies, particularly those produced by George Edwardes.

C. Hayden Coffin portrait, 1893
Coffin in The Geisha

Hayden achieved fame as Harry Sherwood in Dorothy (1886), which became the longest-running piece of musical theatre in history up to that time; other similar roles followed. In 1893, he joined the company of George Edwardes and starred in a series of extraordinarily successful musical comedies, including A Gaiety Girl (1893), An Artist's Model (1895), The Geisha (1896), A Greek Slave (1898), San Toy (1899), A Country Girl (1903), Veronique (1904), The Girl Behind the Counter (1906), Tom Jones (1907) and The Quaker Girl (1910).

In his later years, Coffin found success in Shakespearean roles such as Feste in Twelfth Night (1912), and in musicals, a few films and other works, such as the classic comedy The School for Scandal (1929).

Early life edit

Coffin was born in Manchester. His parents were from Maine in the U.S., and his father, Charles Reuel Coffin (1822–1890),[1] was a dentist. His mother was Sarah Powell (née Munsey) Coffin (1831–1913).[2][3]

His foundation schooling was at University College, London where he was captain of the school for the whole of his final year.[4] Coffin passed the preliminary examinations to enter the College of Surgeons, but decided instead to become a singer. He studied under Edith Abell from Boston and was a member of the Royal Choral Society for three years led by Joseph Barnby.[4][5]

Career edit

In 1883, he performed as an amateur at St. George's Hall in London as Tom Gilroy in H. J. Byron's Partners for Life[6] and as Vivid in Monsieur Jacques.[7]

 
Coffin in Dorothy

Coffin made his professional stage debut as John Smith in Edward Solomon and Sydney Grundy's Pocahontas (1885). He then played in Lady of the Locket (1885), by William Fullerton Jr. and Henry Hamilton, which was the first production designed by his friend Percy Anderson,[8] and Coriolon in Lily of Leoville by Ivan Caryll (1886).[9] Coffin rose to fame as Harry Sherwood in Alfred Cellier and B. C. Stephenson's record-setting hit Dorothy (1886), in which he introduced the popular song, "Queen of My Heart." Coffin's good looks and powerful voice made him one of the most popular stage baritones of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[10] Early in his career, he also had successes with the same team's Doris (1889), Solomon and Henry Pottinger Stephens' The Red Hussar (1889, as Sir Harry Leighton), F. C. Burnand's adaptation of Edmond Audran's La Cigale (1890), and Captain Therese (1890), among others. He spent the 1892–93 season in New York City co-starring in several productions with soprano Lillian Russell. He also starred in a number of pantomimes.[citation needed]

Coffin returned to London in 1893 to star in a series of hit Edwardian musical comedies produced by George Edwardes and composed by Sidney Jones and then Lionel Monckton. His roles in these included Charles Goldfield in A Gaiety Girl (1893), Rudolph Blair in An Artist's Model (1895), Reginald Fairfax in The Geisha (1896), Diomed in A Greek Slave (1898), Captain Bobby Preston in San Toy (1899), Geoffrey Challoner in A Country Girl (1903) and Harry Vereker in The Cingalee (1904). He also starred in Veronique (1904), as Charlie Chetwynd in The Girl Behind the Counter (1906) and in the title role in Tom Jones (1907). Coffin had a brief London run and tour in Two Merry Monarchs (1910) as Prince Charmis and then played Captain Charteris in another hit, The Quaker Girl (1910).[citation needed]

 
Drawing of Coffin in A Country Girl
 
1887 portrait

In his later years, Coffin turned to serious drama, including Shakespearean roles, such as Feste in Twelfth Night at the Savoy Theatre in 1912.[11] He also made occasional appearances in musicals such as Young England (1916) and As You Were (1918).[12] He made several films until 1930, including It's Always the Woman (1916), and also continued touring through the 1920s. In 1929, he played Sir Harry Bumper in The School for Scandal at the Kingsway Theatre,[13] repeating the role in the 1930 film adaptation.[14]

Personal life edit

Coffin was first engaged to the songwriter Hope Temple but married actress Adeline de Leuw.[2] De Leuw had been divorced by her first husband, the composer Alberto Randegger, on the grounds of her adultery with Coffin.[15] Coffin had an older brother, Walter, and a long affair with Maud ("Mamie") Ella Cohn Christie (1877–1966), which produced two children: Crystal (b. 1914) and Errol (b. 1918) Hayden Christie.[2]

Coffin died in Kensington, London, at the age of 73 and was buried in a plot containing his mother and the ashes of his father on 11 December 1935 at St John the Baptist, Woking, Surrey.[16]

Recordings edit

Coffin made a small number of records for the Gramophone Company, as follows:[17]

  • 4-2834 When travelling days are over Young England (Hubert Bath) c. 1916, 10", coupled on E35. (speed 81)
  • 2-4385 Young Fresh England Young England (Hubert Bath) in ensemble, 10", coupled on E 35.
  • 02714 Who sings of England? Young England (G. H. Clutsam), 1916–17, 12", coupled on D200.

References edit

  1. ^ Charles Reuel Coffin, 1861 England Census, Ancestry.com (subscription required); Charles Reuel Coffin, England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837–1915, Ancestry.com (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c Gänzl, Kurt. "'Tottie' and 'Charlie': matinee idol", Kurt of Gerolstein, 16 November 2018
  3. ^ Sarah Powell Coffin, 1861 England Census, Ancestry.com (subscription required); Sarah Powell Coffin, England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837–1915, Ancestry.com (subscription required)
  4. ^ a b [1] The Illustrated American, Vol 13], Illustrated American Publishing Company,(1893), p. 432
  5. ^ The Abell family in America, The Tuttle Publishing Company, Rutland, Vermont (1940), pp. 188–189
  6. ^ "The Paulatim Dramatic Club", The Era, 13 January 1883, p. 7, retrieved 16 January 2019, via British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)
  7. ^ "The Philothespian Club", The Era, 23 June 1883, p. 13, retrieved 16 January 2019, via British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)
  8. ^ Coffin, pp. 25–27 and 34–39
  9. ^ Lily of Leoville, Guide to Musical Theatre, retrieved 29 October 2009
  10. ^ Kenrick, John. "Who's Who in Musicals: Additional Bios IX", Musicals101, retrieved 23 July 2020
  11. ^ Coffin, p. 274
  12. ^ As You Were in The Play Pictorial, 8 March 1918, archived at University of Kent Special Collections and Archives
  13. ^ Play Pictorial 1930–1939 at the University of Kent, retrieved 6 January 2009
  14. ^ "The School For Scandal", TV Guide, retrieved 30 June 2014
  15. ^ "The Law Courts". London Evening Standard. 15 March 1892. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Charles Hayden Coffin", Surrey, England, Church of England Burials, 1813–1987, Surrey History Centre (WOKJ/4/7), via Ancestry.co.uk, retrieved 9 January 2019 (subscription required); "Charles Reuel Coffin", Surrey, England, Church of England Burials, 1813–1987, Surrey History Centre (WOKJ/4/7), via Ancestry.co.uk, retrieved 9 January 2019 (subscription required); and "Sarah Powell Coffin", Surrey, England, Church of England Burials, 1813–1987, Surrey History Centre (WOKJ/4/5), via Ancestry.co.uk, retrieved 13 January 2019 (subscription required)
  17. ^ Bennett, J. R. Voices of the Past: Vol. I A Catalogue of vocal recordings from the English Catalogue of The Gramophone Company, etc. (Oakwood Press, 1955).

Sources edit

Coffin, C. Hayden. Hayden Coffin's Book: Packed with Acts and Facts, London: Alston Rivers (1930).

External links edit

  • Profile of Coffin
  • Hayden Coffin at IMDb
  • at the Wayback Machine (archived 27 January 2004)
  • Two reviews of Coffin
  • Photos of Coffin
  • 1894 photo of Coffin

hayden, coffin, charles, hayden, coffin, april, 1862, december, 1935, english, actor, singer, known, performances, many, famous, edwardian, musical, comedies, particularly, those, produced, george, edwardes, portrait, 1893, coffin, geishahayden, achieved, fame. Charles Hayden Coffin 22 April 1862 8 December 1935 was an English actor and singer known for his performances in many famous Edwardian musical comedies particularly those produced by George Edwardes C Hayden Coffin portrait 1893 Coffin in The GeishaHayden achieved fame as Harry Sherwood in Dorothy 1886 which became the longest running piece of musical theatre in history up to that time other similar roles followed In 1893 he joined the company of George Edwardes and starred in a series of extraordinarily successful musical comedies including A Gaiety Girl 1893 An Artist s Model 1895 The Geisha 1896 A Greek Slave 1898 San Toy 1899 A Country Girl 1903 Veronique 1904 The Girl Behind the Counter 1906 Tom Jones 1907 and The Quaker Girl 1910 In his later years Coffin found success in Shakespearean roles such as Feste in Twelfth Night 1912 and in musicals a few films and other works such as the classic comedy The School for Scandal 1929 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Recordings 5 References 5 1 Sources 6 External linksEarly life editCoffin was born in Manchester His parents were from Maine in the U S and his father Charles Reuel Coffin 1822 1890 1 was a dentist His mother was Sarah Powell nee Munsey Coffin 1831 1913 2 3 His foundation schooling was at University College London where he was captain of the school for the whole of his final year 4 Coffin passed the preliminary examinations to enter the College of Surgeons but decided instead to become a singer He studied under Edith Abell from Boston and was a member of the Royal Choral Society for three years led by Joseph Barnby 4 5 Career editIn 1883 he performed as an amateur at St George s Hall in London as Tom Gilroy in H J Byron s Partners for Life 6 and as Vivid in Monsieur Jacques 7 nbsp Coffin in DorothyCoffin made his professional stage debut as John Smith in Edward Solomon and Sydney Grundy s Pocahontas 1885 He then played in Lady of the Locket 1885 by William Fullerton Jr and Henry Hamilton which was the first production designed by his friend Percy Anderson 8 and Coriolon in Lily of Leoville by Ivan Caryll 1886 9 Coffin rose to fame as Harry Sherwood in Alfred Cellier and B C Stephenson s record setting hit Dorothy 1886 in which he introduced the popular song Queen of My Heart Coffin s good looks and powerful voice made him one of the most popular stage baritones of the late 19th and early 20th centuries 10 Early in his career he also had successes with the same team s Doris 1889 Solomon and Henry Pottinger Stephens The Red Hussar 1889 as Sir Harry Leighton F C Burnand s adaptation of Edmond Audran s La Cigale 1890 and Captain Therese 1890 among others He spent the 1892 93 season in New York City co starring in several productions with soprano Lillian Russell He also starred in a number of pantomimes citation needed Coffin returned to London in 1893 to star in a series of hit Edwardian musical comedies produced by George Edwardes and composed by Sidney Jones and then Lionel Monckton His roles in these included Charles Goldfield in A Gaiety Girl 1893 Rudolph Blair in An Artist s Model 1895 Reginald Fairfax in The Geisha 1896 Diomed in A Greek Slave 1898 Captain Bobby Preston in San Toy 1899 Geoffrey Challoner in A Country Girl 1903 and Harry Vereker in The Cingalee 1904 He also starred in Veronique 1904 as Charlie Chetwynd in The Girl Behind the Counter 1906 and in the title role in Tom Jones 1907 Coffin had a brief London run and tour in Two Merry Monarchs 1910 as Prince Charmis and then played Captain Charteris in another hit The Quaker Girl 1910 citation needed nbsp Drawing of Coffin in A Country Girl nbsp 1887 portraitIn his later years Coffin turned to serious drama including Shakespearean roles such as Feste in Twelfth Night at the Savoy Theatre in 1912 11 He also made occasional appearances in musicals such as Young England 1916 and As You Were 1918 12 He made several films until 1930 including It s Always the Woman 1916 and also continued touring through the 1920s In 1929 he played Sir Harry Bumper in The School for Scandal at the Kingsway Theatre 13 repeating the role in the 1930 film adaptation 14 Personal life editCoffin was first engaged to the songwriter Hope Temple but married actress Adeline de Leuw 2 De Leuw had been divorced by her first husband the composer Alberto Randegger on the grounds of her adultery with Coffin 15 Coffin had an older brother Walter and a long affair with Maud Mamie Ella Cohn Christie 1877 1966 which produced two children Crystal b 1914 and Errol b 1918 Hayden Christie 2 Coffin died in Kensington London at the age of 73 and was buried in a plot containing his mother and the ashes of his father on 11 December 1935 at St John the Baptist Woking Surrey 16 Recordings editCoffin made a small number of records for the Gramophone Company as follows 17 4 2834 When travelling days are over Young England Hubert Bath c 1916 10 coupled on E35 speed 81 2 4385 Young Fresh England Young England Hubert Bath in ensemble 10 coupled on E 35 02714 Who sings of England Young England G H Clutsam 1916 17 12 coupled on D200 References edit Charles Reuel Coffin 1861 England Census Ancestry com subscription required Charles Reuel Coffin England amp Wales Civil Registration Death Index 1837 1915 Ancestry com subscription required a b c Ganzl Kurt Tottie and Charlie matinee idol Kurt of Gerolstein 16 November 2018 Sarah Powell Coffin 1861 England Census Ancestry com subscription required Sarah Powell Coffin England amp Wales Civil Registration Death Index 1837 1915 Ancestry com subscription required a b 1 The Illustrated American Vol 13 Illustrated American Publishing Company 1893 p 432 The Abell family in America The Tuttle Publishing Company Rutland Vermont 1940 pp 188 189 The Paulatim Dramatic Club The Era 13 January 1883 p 7 retrieved 16 January 2019 via British Newspaper Archive subscription required The Philothespian Club The Era 23 June 1883 p 13 retrieved 16 January 2019 via British Newspaper Archive subscription required Coffin pp 25 27 and 34 39 Lily of Leoville Guide to Musical Theatre retrieved 29 October 2009 Kenrick John Who s Who in Musicals Additional Bios IX Musicals101 retrieved 23 July 2020 Coffin p 274 As You Were in The Play Pictorial 8 March 1918 archived at University of Kent Special Collections and Archives Play Pictorial 1930 1939 at the University of Kent retrieved 6 January 2009 The School For Scandal TV Guide retrieved 30 June 2014 The Law Courts London Evening Standard 15 March 1892 Retrieved 1 April 2021 Charles Hayden Coffin Surrey England Church of England Burials 1813 1987 Surrey History Centre WOKJ 4 7 via Ancestry co uk retrieved 9 January 2019 subscription required Charles Reuel Coffin Surrey England Church of England Burials 1813 1987 Surrey History Centre WOKJ 4 7 via Ancestry co uk retrieved 9 January 2019 subscription required and Sarah Powell Coffin Surrey England Church of England Burials 1813 1987 Surrey History Centre WOKJ 4 5 via Ancestry co uk retrieved 13 January 2019 subscription required Bennett J R Voices of the Past Vol I A Catalogue of vocal recordings from the English Catalogue of The Gramophone Company etc Oakwood Press 1955 Sources edit Coffin C Hayden Hayden Coffin s Book Packed with Acts and Facts London Alston Rivers 1930 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to C Hayden Coffin Profile of Coffin Hayden Coffin at IMDb Information about Coffin at the Wayback Machine archived 27 January 2004 Two reviews of Coffin Photos of Coffin 1894 photo of Coffin Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title C Hayden Coffin amp oldid 1168660400, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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