Lionel Brough as 'Verges' in 'Much Ado About Nothing'

Although Lionel Brough ( 1836-1909) made his first appearance on the London stage in 1854, it was not until 1868 that he was established as an actor. Brough was a journalist for many years before he pursued a career in the theatre. Following his break-through role in H. J. Byron's 'Dearer than Life', Brough was engaged almost exclusively for comic roles.

In this painting by the Germany-born artist Charles Buchel (1872-1950) the actor is portrayed in his role as Verges in Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'. The play was staged at His Majesty's Theatre on 24 January 1905 and Brough is shown here in character, with an intense expression on his face. From 1894 until his death in 1905, Brough worked for the company owned by the actor and theatre-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who also employed Buchel.

Buchel studied at the Royal Academy schools before starting work for Tree at the end of the 19th century. During the early 1900s, Buchel gained an intimate knowledge of the theatrical profession and came into contact with a number of leading performers. Primarily a portrait artist, Buchel painted many pictures of Tree and actresses and actors, such as Brough.Charles Buchel was born in Mainz, Germany, but came to England as a child. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and in 1898, he began to work for the actor-manager, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, with whom he was closely associated for the next sixteen years.