A one-man show about William Charles Macready, one of the most prominent actor-managers of the 1800s – and Charles Dickens’ best friend – is coming to York.
‘Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend,’ a solo show from Mark Stratford, will be performed at Theatre@41 on Saturday, April 12.
The show will tell the story of William Charles Macready, who was described by a critic in 1819 as “the most awkwardly made man that ever trod the stage.”
Mark Stratford, who wrote the show and also performs it, said: “Little did that critic know Macready would go on to become one of the greatest actor-managers of the 19th century.”
Macready was also Charles Dickens’ best friend, and Dickens would later dedicate his novel ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ to him.
Stratford will take his audience on Macready’s journey from his first tentative steps on stage in a “tatty country theatre” to his final ever performance at “the mighty Drury Lane.”
He aims to bring to life the triumphs, tribulations, and tragedies that shaped the personality of Macready.
Stratford said: “Macready’s story is fascinating.
“He led a very conflicted life.
“He never wanted to be an actor.
“But when his father’s theatre company plunges into debt, the teenage Macready has to take to the stage to help out – and the rest, as they say, is history.”
The show is a labour of love for Stratford, who became intrigued by Macready’s story when he read his diaries a few years ago.
“He is not as well-known as the likes of Edmund Kean and Henry Irving, famous actors whose careers overlapped with Macready’s at each end of the 19th century,” Stratford said.
“But his story is of such importance, I feel driven to tell it.”
The Theatre@41 performance on Saturday, April 12 will commence at 7.30pm; tickets are available via https://tickets.41monkgate.co.uk
