Charles Macklin and the Theatres of London

Charles Macklin was an Irish actor who acted in London from 1725 to 1789, spanning seven decades and is credited with developing the natural school of acting. He wrote one of the great comic pieces of the mid-century and the only play of the century to be twice refused a performance license. He also opened an experimental coffeehouse, advocated for actors' rights, and successfully sued theatre rioters.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Charles Macklin (1699?–1797) was a pivotal figure in the eighteenth-century theatre, born in Ireland and active in London from around 1725 until his final performance in 1789. His remarkable career spanned seven decades, from the reign of George I to the Regency Crisis of 1788. Notably, he is credited alongside David Garrick for developing the natural school of acting, and his famous portrayal of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice is said to have given George II nightmares.

As a dramatist, Macklin wrote one of the great comic pieces of the mid-century, Love à la Mode (1759), as well as the only play of the century to be twice refused a performance license, The Man of the World (1781). He was also an advocate for actors' rights and copyright reform for dramatists, and he successfully sued theatre rioters. In short, his career was astonishingly diverse.

This comprehensive volume, with essays by leading experts on eighteenth-century culture, offers a sustained critical examination of Macklin's career. It illuminates many aspects of eighteenth-century theatrical culture and the European Enlightenment, and explores the scholarly benefit and thrill of restaging Macklin's work in the twenty-first century.

Charles Macklin's legacy continues to resonate in the world of theatre, and his contributions to the art form are widely celebrated and studied. His remarkable career spans seven decades, from the reign of George I to the Regency Crisis of 1788, and his impact on the theatre cannot be overstated. This volume, with its insightful essays and comprehensive examination of Macklin's work, provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of eighteenth-century theatrical culture and the European Enlightenment.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800856912