Programme (and clipped review) for one of the best attended All-Star Benefit Matinee programmes of the Victorian era including appearances by both Gilbert and Sullivan themselves in “Trial by Jury” (see note*) and a host of other great actors. Henry Compton (1805-1877) was one of the best loved actors of his generation, specialising in comic Shakespearean roles. When he was forced to retire due to ill health his professional colleagues presented this benefit on his behalf at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 1 March 1877.  After an overture, the afternoon began with a scene from “Othelllo” featuring Charles Warner, Henry Sinclair, John Ryder, William Creswick and Ada Cavendish. Miss Heath read “The charge of the Light Brigade, followed by a scene from Lord Lytton's play “Money” with appearances by Henry Neville, John Hare, W.H. Kendal, Benjamin Webster, William Farren, Edward Compton, Squire Bancroft, Marie Wilton (Effie Bancroft), Ellen Terry and Madge Robertson (Madge Kendal).  Henry Irving gave a recitation and the farce “Lend Me Five Shillings” featured Charles Wyndham, John Billington, Thomas Thorne, Amy Roselle, Ada Swanborough and Kate Vaughan. Samuel Phelps joined Hermann Vezin in a scene and the last act of Sheridan's “Critic” featured Henry James Byron, Charles Matthews, J.B. Buckstone, Edward Righton, J.L. Toole, Ellie Farren (Nellie Farren) Willie Edouin and Hermann Vezin. The final event was a production of the Gilbert and Sullivan short piece “Trial by Jury”, conducted by Sullivan himself. (*NB:  although he is not named in the programme, the review from “The Standard” which is included in this auction clearly states that the author W.S. Gilbert was in the piece as Associate, making this one of the very rare occasions when both Gilbert and Sullivan appeared together on or near the same stage.) George Honey was the Judge with George Fox as Counsel, W.H. Cummings as Defendant and Arthur Cecil as Usher. Pauline Rita was the Plaintiff and among those in the chorus were Furneaux Cook, George Grossmith Jnr (Gee Gee), Howard Paul, Harry Paulton, W.S. Penley, Carlotta Addison, Lucy Buckstone, Violet Cameron, Kate Phillips, Marion Terry and Lottie Venne. (Please note that only a handful of names from the programme have been mentioned in the above list.) Measuring 8” by 10.25” the large-format programme has four sides with gorgeous embossed borders in imitation of fine lace and is in superb condition with a short split to the spine and some minimal edge wear. Also included is a clipping from “The Standard” of 2 March 1877 with a review of the event.   ALSO ON SALE THIS WEEK: a cabinet card photo of Henry Compton – see my other auctions.