J. T. Grein

Jacob Thomas (J. T.) Grein ("Jack") (11 October 1862 – 22 June 1935) was a Dutch-born theatre impresario and drama critic who helped establish the modern theatre in London, England.

Biography

Born in Amsterdam, Grein moved to London in 1885 and became a naturalized British subject in 1895. His greatest achievement was founding the Independent Theatre Society in 1891. Their first production was Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts in 1891. Their performances were held as "private" subscription performances, which allowed them to present plays that were not officially licensed by the Lord Chamberlain's Office. In 1892 the Society produced George Bernard Shaw's first play, Widower's Houses. Grein married the actress, Alice Augusta Greeven, in 1904; she later wrote and edited a biography of him under the pseudonym Michael Orme.

The Greins also worked tirelessly to introduce European drama to London. They founded the German Theatre in London Programme in 1900, hosting German actors and directors such as Max Behrend and Hans Andresen in productions of German drama (performed in German). This program lasted, in various forms, through 1908.

The influences were not all one way: in April 1907, Grein organised a visit by Herbert Beerbohm Tree's company – based at Her Majesty's Theatre – to Hanover and Berlin. The visit was made by personal invitation of the Prussian Emperor, and his personal train transported them from the Hook of Holland. Grein and Tree were awarded the Order of the Red Eagle for their successful tour.

References

• Carlson, Marvin. The Théâtre-Libre, The Freie Bühne, The Independent Theatre: A Comparative Study. Diss. Cornell University, 1961.
• Schoonderwoerd, N. H. G. J. T. Grein: Ambassador of the Theatre, 1862-1935. A Study in Anglo-Continental Theatrical Relations. Assen: Van Gorcum, 1963.
• Orme, Michael [Alice Grein]. J. T. Grein: The Story of a Pioneer. London: John Murray, 1936.
• Encyclopædia Britannica