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Henry Cyril Paget, Fifth Marquis of Anglesey, died
bankrupt aged just 29 in 1905. An extremely flamboyant extrovert, his
principle interests were dressing up, collecting and wearing very
expensive jewellery, dancing and staging lavish theatrical
extravaganzas. Henry Cyril's nickname was 'The Dancing Marquis', and was
probably used less than affectionately by the rest of his family. He was
born in 1875 and brought up in France, largely in the company of
theatrical people. These formative years clearly instilled a deep love
of showing off.
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The
only son of the 4th Marquis, he married his cousin Lilian
Chetwynd shortly before inheriting the title and an income
estimated at £110,000 pa. Upon entering the family seat at Plas
Newydd, he converted the centuries old chapel into a theatre.
From 1901 onwards, he staged a series of productions whose scale
and cost were boundless. Casts of 50 or 60 were clad in
luxurious, fantastic costumes and large amounts of jewellery.
Paget was especially fond of 'Aladdin', and it is believed this
light opera was the most performed work by his company. He
played the part of Pekoe, and during the interval would perform
his celebrated 'Butterfly Dance'. What this actually consisted
of is unclear, although large |
 gossamer-effect
wings and huge clusters of colourful jewels, and a great deal of running
around with arms flapping can be guessed at. Hence 'The Dancing Marquis'
In just four years, Paget blew his entire fortune on
luxurious goods, clothes, jewels and the upkeep of very large casts of
actors for his productions, which would tour Britain and the Continent.
It is not known how much he actually spent, but the jewellery alone for
his own Henry V costume cost £40,000. That was just one costume out of
hundreds made for his company over the years.
By Jun
1904, he was forced to issue a statement of affairs to his creditors and
his debts were estimated at £250,000. Less than a year later he died in
Monte Carlo, with his wife and mother at his bedside
Henry Cyril Paget was almost certainly an exuberant,
popular and, in his own way, brave man, both ahead of his time and of it
too. He died in Monte Carlo - the circumstances are unclear, but it
would seem he had completely burnt himself out and spent his huge
fortune. The bankruptcy sale of his effects lasted an incredible
seventeen days.
Based on an article by SIMON McAUSLANE. |
