Did you know that this isn’t just any water fountain? It’s the Saville Esmé Percy Memorial. It is a unique tribute to a fascinating man.
The Saville Esmé Percy Memorial is a dog drinking fountain in Kensington Gardens. It stands near the Palace Gate entrance. The fountain was erected in 1961. It honors Esmé Saville Percy. He was an English actor, manager, and producer.
Percy was born in London to French parents. He studied acting under Sarah Bernhardt. He also studied at the Brussels Conservatoire. Percy made his acting debut in 1904.
In 1913, Percy created his own touring company. The company specialized in plays by George Bernard Shaw. After World War I, Percy entertained British troops in Cologne. He played Professor Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady”.
A playful mishap with his Great Dane led to Percy losing an eye. His glass eye once famously popped out during a performance. This happened during a 1949 production of “The Lady’s Not for Burning”. From then on, he wore an eye patch.
Shaw wrote the role of Count Aristide Karpathy in “Pygmalion” specifically for Percy. He also appeared in films. These included “Nell Gwyn”, “Royal Cavalcade”, and Hitchcock’s “Asesinato”.
Despite his accident with a dog, Percy loved them. After his death, his friends commissioned this fountain. It was placed in Kensington Gardens as a memorial.
The Saville Esmé Percy Memorial was sculpted by Silvia Gilley. It depicts a bronze terrier. The terrier appears to be waiting for someone to play. This charming fountain is a testament to Percy’s life and loves. It serves as a reminder of a talented actor and dog lover.