''Master Clarke'' is an 1840 historical play by the British writer Thomas James Serle. It premiered at the

Theatre Royal, Haymarket The Theatre Royal Haymarket (also known as Haymarket Theatre or the Little Theatre) is a West End theatre in Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use. Samuel Foote ...

on 26 September 1840. It revolves around the life of

Richard Cromwell Richard Cromwell (4 October 162612 July 1712) was an English statesman who served as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1658 to 1659. He was the son of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Following his father ...

, deposed Lord Protector of England, during the

seventeenth century The 17th century lasted from January 1, 1601 (represented by the Roman numerals MDCI), to December 31, 1700 (MDCC). It falls into the early modern period of Europe and in that continent (whose impact on the world was increasing) was characterize ...

Cast

The original cast included

William Macready William Charles Macready (3 March 179327 April 1873) was an English stage actor. The son of Irish actor-manager William Macready the Elder he emerged as a leading West End performer during the Regency era. Career Macready was born in London ...

as Richard Cromwell,

Benjamin Nottingham Webster Benjamin Nottingham Webster (3 September 17973 July 1882) was an English actor-manager and dramatist. Early life Webster was born in Bath, the son of a dancing master. Career First appearing as Harlequin, and then in small parts at Dr ...

Charles II of England Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651 and King of England, Scotland, and King of Ireland, Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685. Charles II was the eldest su ...

Samuel Phelps Samuel Phelps (13 February 1804 – 6 November 1878) was an English actor-manager. He is known for reviving the fortunes of the neglected Sadler's Wells Theatre and for his productions of Shakespeare's plays which were presented with attenti ...

as General Lord Disbrowe, Walter Lacy as Ingoldsby,

Henry Howe Henry Howe (October 11, 1816 – October 14, 1893) was an American author who wrote histories of several states in the United States. His most celebrated work is the three volume ''Historical Collections of Ohio''. Early life Henry Howe was bo ...

as Sir Richard Willis, William Henry Oxberry as Smoothly,

George John Bennett George John Bennett (1800–1879) was for nearly 40 years a Shakespearian actor on the London stage, notably Covent Garden and Drury Lane. Life He was the son of the comedian George Bennett anHarriet Morland, the daughter of an ancient family ...

as Captain Darnel and

Helena Faucit Helena Saville Faucit, Lady Martin (11 October 1817 – 31 October 1898) was an English actress. Early life Born in London, she was the daughter of actors John Saville Faucit and Harriet Elizabeth Savill. Her parents separated when she was a ...

as Lady Dorothy Cromwell. The play was not a great success, partly due to the fact that Macready had not properly learned the part which was to be a growing problem for him.Downer p.198

References

Bibliography

* Carlisle, Carol Jones. ''Helen Faucit: Fire and Ice on the Victorian Stage''. Society for Theatre Research, 2000. * Downer, Alan Seymour. ''The Eminent Tragedian William Charles Macready''. Harvard University Press, 1966. * Nicoll, Allardyce. ''A History of Early Nineteenth Century Drama 1800-1850''. Cambridge University Press, 1930. 1840 plays West End plays British plays Historical plays Plays set in the 17th century Plays set in London Cultural depictions of Richard Cromwell Cultural depictions of Charles II of England {{19thC-play-stub