Memoirs of the Life of John Philip Kemble, Esq.: Volume 2
Including a History of the Stage, from the Time of Garrick to the Present Period

Published in 1825, this two-volume theatrical biography was described by Sir Walter Scott as 'grave, critical, full and laudably accurate'.

James Boaden (Author)

9781108064934, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 September 2013

606 pages
21.6 x 14 x 3.4 cm, 0.76 kg

Born into the theatre, though originally intended for Catholic holy orders, John Philip Kemble (1757–1823) made as great a name for himself on the English stage as his gifted older sister, Sarah Siddons. Known for his mastery of tragic Shakespearian roles, among which Coriolanus was deemed his finest, Kemble also distinguished himself as acting manager at Drury Lane under Sheridan. Described by Sir Walter Scott as 'grave, critical, full and laudably accurate', this extensive two-volume biography was the work of James Boaden (1762–1839), an author well acquainted with the foremost theatrical personalities of his day. Boaden's biographies of Sarah Siddons, Elizabeth Inchbald and Dorothy Jordan have also been reissued in this series, along with his edition of David Garrick's correspondence. Volume 2 of the present work opens with the season of 1789–90 at Drury Lane and closes with the text of Kemble's will.

Part II (cont.): 3. Season of 1789–90
4. Season of 1790–1
5. Winter season of 1791–2
6. Holland's new Covent Garden theatre
7. Mrs Radcliffe's Romance of the Forest
8. Mr Harris restores a one shilling gallery
9. Mr Kemble in Vortigern
10. Consequences of the failure to Mr Kemble
11. Losses of the stage
12. Winter season of 1798–9
13. Season of 1799–1800
14. Season of 1800–1
15. Season of 1801–2
Part III: 1. Season of 1802–3
2. Weekly salaries
3. The author's explanation
4. Colman's theatre
5. Charles Young
6. Refuge in the Haymarket
7. Building of the new theatre
8. A miscellaneous chapter
9. Situation of the Covent Garden theatre
Mr Kemble's last will.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]