Regency Men: Andrew Ducrow

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MR ANDREW DUCROW Somewhere about the close of the last century from that land so famous for its schiedam fogs dykes and double backed Dutchmen came a celebrated individual yclep t Mynheer von Ducrow with but few incumbrances if we except a peaceful family of four or five innocents Immediately on his arrival in England Mynheer was engaged by the late Philip Astley for his theatre and made his first appearance there in an English entertainment called Tilking or imitations of various birds and feats of strength one of which consisted of holding between his teeth a table on which his before mentioned family were placed without any support whatever In the short space of a week after Mynheer von Ducrow's arrival in London he received an addition to his numerous family in the person of Master Andrew Ducrow the present Napoleon of the arena who first paid this world a visit on the 10th of October 1793 the favoured spot being the borough of Southwark In 1813 his respected parent left old Astley and joined the company at the Royal circus where Andrew now a young and merry man was engaged as an equestrian though he always manifested a greater desire for drawing horses than riding them for whenever missed and that not seldom he was certain to be discovered in some obscure corner colouring insiguificant designs with an equally insignificant box of paints which he always carried carefully concealed about his person from the prying and unartist like eyes of his cruel father who phlegmatically destroyed his pictorial efforts whenever he could lay his hands on them It was not before the year 1814 that he showed any germs of that talent which has so richly ripened he then brought himself into considerable notice by his excellent personation of Eloi the dumb boy in the Dog of Montargis About this time his father died leaving the whole support of the family to our hero who after the disputes relating to the Circus and its consequent close returned to Astley's and introduced the classical and graceful representation of the Gladiator on horseback a style of pantomime at that day perfectly new though not sufficiently appreciated the audience preferring the senseless and attempted droฤผlery of clowns and mummery to the pure and classic chastity of Ducrow's efforts After remaining at Astley's one season he in company with bis family embarked for the continent and played with great fame and profit in most of the principal towns so much so that after his return he was enabled to become a master where he had formerly been content as a servant His first continental appearance was in Holland at Blondin's Cirque Olympique where he arrived with one horse named Jack but his success was so great ihat he was speedily enabled to increase and lay the foundation of his present unrivalled stud His act of the Sabines in the ancient ampitheatre at Rheims was terrific and formed the most astonishing entertainment ever attempted In France his company consisted merely of the members of his own family Here he produced his Cupid and Zephyr Red Riding Hood & c & c in which he was accompanied by his sister now Mrs Broadfoot then a child three or four years old whose performances have never yet been equalled by children of the present day At Paris he was engaged by Franconi his style was perfectly original he being the first person that ever introduced an equestrian pageant or entrรฉe his performances upon six horses were likewise never before attempted by any equestrian In fact at Paris he was the rage and the enthusiastic Parisians worshipped Ducrow as the first horseman in the world When Elliston produced the Cataract of the Ganges at Drury Lane in 1823 the managers of Covent Garden to divide the attraction offered terms to Ducrow which he accepted and made his first appearance in London at a principal theatre in the opera of Cortez in which he was eminently successful Davis fearing so talented a rival proffered him a sbare in the management of Astley's which was cheerfully accepted and on Easter Monday 1824 he again appeared there and introduced his novel effects in the equestrian art giving intellect to that species of performance which is naturally of the most unintellectual grade and the town rescued its taste from contempt by flocking to witness his performance The lease of the premises having shortly afterwards expired the owners demanded a considerable advance of rent which Davis refusing Ducrow induced Mr West to join him and having obtained his consent a renewal of the lease was granted in their joint names and under their management the theatre which had sunk to a comparative low ebb from the parsimony of Davis again flourished and became one of the most fasbioaable resoris in the metropolis at this moment enjoying a greater share of popularity than ever Mr Ducrow's most distinguished performance is his impersonation of antique statues under the title of Raphael's Dream in November 1832 his late Majesty William IV sent for him and desired an arena to be built within the Pavilion at Brighton in order to witness this performance likewise
several of his most admired feats of horsenianship On the 26th of December 1838 Ducrow produced St George and the Dragon at Drury Lane This was undoubt edly the most magnificent spectacle ever represented upon the English stage and as an instance of his indefatigable industry and perseverance we may here state that he superintended the whole preparation of this piece upon one leg his left foot suffering during the time from a serious burn and until the evening of performance he was totally unable to place his foot upon the ground Her Majesty Queen Adelaide honoured the theatre with her presence to witness this spectacle for which production he received from the lessee of the theatre a magnificent gold and silver vase In the following year he brought out King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table which was equally successful and the same compliment of a vase was presented to him Queen Adelaide to express her admiration of this spectacle ordered 1001 pounds to be disa tributed among the performers The company of the Royal Ampitheatre also presented him with an elegant gold and silver snuff box with a suitable inscription In 1834 he had the misfortune to lose his brother Mr John Duerow the clown and in 1836 his amiable wife the late Madame Ducrow a lady most highly respected to whom he had been married eighteen years Mr Ducrow's success in the provincial towns is unrivalled he is decidedly the Colossus of equestrians His last production the Dumb Man of Manchester may rank among his best efforts of pantomime He is possessed of a very impetuous temper but is exceedingly generous and unaffected In his profession he is an enthusiast no difficulties deter him no expense slays his hand The spectacles he superintends he seeks to render perfection and that range of business which few men dare attempt that Mr Ducrow completes with apparent eรกse There are many anecdotes extant exhibiting his extraordinary courage and self possession One the veracity of which is beyond doubt we will present to our readers One morning at rehearsal Herr Cline de clined ascending from the stage to the gallery as a dangerous experiment What said Ducrow afraid of hurting yourself I suppose I m not pretty and have nothing in fear Give me the pole And in his dressing gown and slippers he ascended and descended an attempt amounting almost to madness and at which even the practised performers at his theatre shuddered We have hitherto forgotten to state that he has lately been united to Miss Woolford the popular equestrian in whose society we heartily wish him many years of happiness and prosperity AND PENCILINGS IN TIE PIT 155 Actors by Daylight.ย (1838).ย United Kingdom:ย J. Pattie.

Ducrow of whose family eight members have been in the circus business is too well known a name to be passed over Andrew was the Ducrow and he gained distinction as a pantomimist and acrobat before he was known as an equestrian One of his earliest feats in the ring was the representation on horseback of classical statuary and the impersonation of Raphael's dream always gained him great applause At this time he only had one horse but as his popularity grew he bought others until he possessed what was then looked upon as a large stud What Andrew Ducrow did not boast of however was manners for on one occasion when at Sheffield the Master Cutler patronised his circus and sent for Ducrow to escort the procession to its place the manager sent a deputy with the message that he only personally attended great people and not scissor grinders Thereupon the patronage was withdrawn and the Master Cutler together with his retinue returned home Baily’s Magazine of Sports & Pastimes.ย (1885).ย United Kingdom:ย (n.p.).

Ducrow was an immensely popular performer during the long Regency, particularly attracting audience for his statuesque poses in skin colored pantaloons upon horses. Ill mannered, but talented and very successful, he would succeed Astley at managing Astley’s Ampitheatre.ย  Often called the “Colossus of equestrians,” he began his career in pantomime but invented equestrian spectacles as a feature at Astleys, securing his reputation and legacy.

He passed away in 1842, apparently from the shock of seeing Astley’s burn down for the third time.

There are a plethora of images available online that showcase Ducrow on horseback that are worth a look.

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