James d'Egville Hams It Up

Costume of Mr d'Egville
Circa 1830 Signed C.H.
Folger Shakespeare Library

In 1827 the sons of two theatrical dynasties set off to tour Italy. Charles James Mathews (son of Charles Mathews) and James d'Egville (son of James Harvey d'Egville) had both been articled to Augustus Pugin who is now chiefly remembered as the architect of the interiors at the Palace of Westminster and its famous clock tower. Mathews later returned to the theatre as both actor and playwright.

Charles James Mathews
(1803-1878)

While in Florence, Mathews designed and built a small theatre for Lord Normanby. He and d'Egville both played in amateur productions during their stay and the costume designs have survived as a series of lithographs which are held by the Folger Shakespeare Library.

...In 1827 he again quitted England for Italy, but on a professional tour that time, accompanied by Mr. James D'Egville, with whom he had been associated in Mr. Pugin's office. They visited Milan, Rome, Venice, &c., examined the ancient monuments of those places, and exhibited their architectural drawings in each of those celebrated academies. At Milan, Venice, and Rome, Mathews was elected a member of the several academies. At the former place, some drawings of his, of the Duomo D'OssoIa, and other sketches, are still exhibited.

In 1829 they visited Florence, where Lord Normanby was then residing, and was entertaining the Florentines with private theatricals. Young Mathews (with his father's permission) appeared, at his lordship's request, in the following characters: Risk, in " Love Laughs at Locksmiths;" Dogberry, in "Much Ado about Nothing;" Tony Lumpkin, in " She Stoops to Conquer;" Adam, in " The Iron Chest;" Buskin, in " Killing no Murder;" Simpson, in "Simpson & Co.;" Falstaff, in "King Henry the Fourth," &c., &c., &c.

At the theatre San Clemente, the actors in the above plays, among others, were Lord and Lady Normanby (really admirable performers), Sir Hedworth and Lady Williamson, Lord Fitzharris, Lord Albert Conyngham, Messrs. Craven, Nightingale, Dundas, Aubry, Phipps, Bligh, Antrobus, Thelluson, Sitwell, St. John, E. Villiers; Mrs. Dalton, Miss Augusta Stephenson, Miss Geraldine de Courcy, Miss Sitwell, La Principessa Belgiojoso, La Marchesa di Pucci.*

He also performed Sir Benjamin Backbite in the " School for Scandal," on the single occasion of the comedy being performed at Lord Burghersh's, then ambassador at the court of Tuscany; on which occasion Lady Teazle was played by Lady Burghersh, Joseph Surface by the Marquis of Douro (the present Duke of Wellington), and Charles Surface by Lord Burghersh.

* Mathews, while at Florence, built Lord Normanby a small theatre, and painted a drop scene for it.

The literary life and correspondence of the Countess of Blessington, Volume 2
Richard Robert Madden, 1855

If the print is any sort of likeness James appears to be a chip off the old block. There is some similarity between the subject and this detail of Tatius from David's Intervention of the Sabine Women (1799) for whom James Harvey d'Egville modelled.