William Charles Macready (1793-1873) was a well-known and popular actor in England during the 19th century, having first appeared in one of his father's theatres in 1810 as Romeo. Within ten years, Macready would be playing in one of London's premiere theatres, the Theatre Royal Covent Garden. His prominence beginning with a successful portrayal of Shakespeare's Richard III, he became a regular player at the rival patent theatre, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where his success was cemented as he developed further in his Shakespearean repertoire. Eventually, he would develop such memorable characters as Virginius, William Tell, Werner, Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello. In 1826 he traveled to America for the first time, meeting with success. On a subsequent American tour, his now infamous acting feud with American actor Edwin Forrest fueled nationalistic sentiments on both sides of the Atlantic which erupted in the Astor Place Riot in New York City on May 10, 1849. In this rendering, believed to be a plate from 'The Complete Works of Shakspere [sic]' in three volumes published by The London Printing and Publishing Company around 1850, Macready is depicted in the role of King Lear. He holds a dead Cordelia in his lap and is gesturing toward the sky with his right hand. A quote under the picture says, O, thou wilt come no more, never, never, never, never. The quote is noted as coming from Act 5, Scene 3. Critics of Macready's interpretations of Shakespearean tragic heroes say that he did not do the majority of them justice. While capable of playing tragedy and pathos well, he often was not able to grasp the whole of their characters. King Lear seems to be an exception to this opinion, however, as most commentators praise his performance of the old king. According to Macready's diaries, he knew what it was like to lose a child, as many of his children died while they were young. This highly personal experience almost assuredly influenced his playing of King Lear. Production(s) represented: Werner, Inkle and Yarico, My Neighbours's Wife!. Character role(s) represented: Mr. Macready (Werner), Mr. King (Ulric in W.), Mr. Cooper (Gabor in W., Inkle in I&Y, Mr. Somerton in MNW), Mr. Mathews (Baron Stralenheim in W.), Mr. Blanchard (Idenstein in W.), Mr. Younge (Fritz in W.), Mr. Ayliffe (Henric in W., Medium in I&Y), Mr. F. Cooke (Rodolph in W., 2nd Planter in I&Y), Mr. Cathie (Eric in W.), Mr. Fenton (Arnheim in W.), Mr. Hatton (Meister in W., Servant in I&Y), Mr. Honner (Ludwig in W., Waiter in I&Y), Mr. Brown (Herman in W.), Mr. Stanley (Otto in W.), Mrs. Lovell (Josephine in W.), Miss E. Phillips (Ida in W.), Mr. Dowton (Sir Christopher Curry in I&Y), Mr. Templeton (Captain Campley in I&Y), Mr. Harley (Trudge in I&Y), Mr. Tayleure (1st Planter in I&Y), Miss Betts (Narcissa in I&Y), Mrs. Gibbs (Patty in I&Y), Miss Phillips (Yarico), Mrs. Fitzwilliam (Wowski in I&Y), Mr. Meadows (Mr. Brown in MNW), Mr. Bartley (Mr. Smith in MNW), Miss Taylor (Mrs. Somerton in MNW), Miss Kenneth (Mrs. Brown in MNW), Miss Murray (Mrs. Smith in MNW) Artistic role(s) represented: William Charles Macready (Actor), Lord Byron (Playwright).