Murder of William Terriss

The beneficiaries of the ABF have always been able to rely on complete confidentiality concerning their identities and circumstances. This is a paramount requisite in a profession where many are very proud and protective of their dignity, and is taken extremely seriously by all concerned in the working of the Fund. However, there was one instance when this confidentiality had to be abandoned, and it must surely be the most macabre incident in the history of the Fund.

In 1897 Richard Prince, a beneficiary with a grudge, murdered the actor-manager, William Terriss, owner of the Adelphi Theatre, and great friend of Henry Irving. Terriss had employed Prince as a supernumerary and perhaps small part player in the spectacular productions that were mounted at the Adelphi Theatre. As a result of unprofessional behaviour and heavy drinking Prince had been fired, and was often seen in West End pubs denigrating his former employer. Terriss, though never on the Council of the ABF, had personally recommended him for aid, and on several occasions Prince had been granted sums of money to cover his daily expenses.

On the day of the murder he turned up at the office in Adam Street demanding money, but was told by the secretary Mr. Colston that the Council was not due to meet until the following day, when his case would be considered. Prince, disbelieving this, and perhaps mistaking the name of Terriss for that of Edward Terry who was at that time a Council member, simply crossed over the Strand to Maiden Lane where he knew Terriss had his own private entrance to the theatre separate from the Stage Door in Bull Inn Court, and waited for him to turn up for the evening performance. As Terriss was letting himself in to his private door, Prince ran up to him and stabbed him three times with a dagger. Prince was seized by horrified passers-by, and a doctor from the nearby Charing Cross Hospital tried to save Terriss, but he died a few minutes later. To the policeman who arrested him Prince uttered the chilling words, “He has had due warning, and if he is dead, he knew what to expect from me. He prevented me getting money from the Fund today, and I have stopped him!”

In the witness-box during the trial at the Old Bailey, Colston said that if only Prince had returned the following day when the emergency committee was due to meet, the Fund would no doubt have helped him once more. Prince was declared insane and committed to Broadmoor, where it is said he spent the rest of his days producing plays with himself as the leading character and the other inmates in supporting roles.