Mr. Cibbery of Drury Lane [Audio Cassette]

Graham Harley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999

As an actor, playwright and manager, Colley Cibber (1671 to 1757) dominated the theatrical world of his generation. During his long and controversial acting career, which started under the great Restoration actor Thomas Betterton and ended with the emergence of David Garrick, he also wrote a number of enormously popular comedies, and his "improved" version of Shakespeare's Richard III was to hold stage until the end of the 19th century. Chief Manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, for 20 years he composed the first theatrical autobiography in English and as Poet Laureate to George II aroused the abiding hatred of Alexander Pope, who enshrined him as the King of Dullness in The Dunciad.

Cibber, a rich and complex figure himself, offers a colourful, raw and often hilarious glimpse into this world of 18th century theatre in England. When the play begins it is 1741; Cibber is 70 years of age as he reminisces about his life, his loves and regrets, he recalls some of the colourful characters of his day, fondly - and not so fondly.

Produced at the state of the art recording studios of the Canadian Broadcasting Studios with sound effects and music.

Performed by Bernard Hopkins

Approximate Duration 1 Hour

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For almost 50 years, Canada's Stratford Festival has been both the preeminent North American repertory company for Shakespearean performance and a seemingly endless wellspring showcasing original dramatic works. A recent corporate sponsorship now yields the marvelous "Bank of Montreal Stratford Festival" series of staged readings that, in the case of the three entries here, were recorded between 1995-97. All are original, smaller scale works with a strong biographical bent featuring prominent literary and dramatic figures reminiscing in the twilight of their careers. The marvelous Bernard Hopkins delights as Colley Cibber, the manager of Drury Lane for 20 years and a dominant figure in the fertile English theater of the 18th century. As Mr. Cibber, Hopkins regales us with one amusing story and anecdote after another about the leading theatrical figures of the day. In Blake, Douglas Campbell, a featured company member of the Stratford Festival for decades and an actor possessed of a truly incredible vocal instrument, recites and sings the visionary verse of the divinely touched poet William Blake. Sarah Bernhardt, for whom the expression drama queen was coined (or should have been), is the subject of Memoir, the only piece among the three prominently featuring two actors. Pat Galloway is the deliciously over-the-top divine Miss B. dictating her imaginary second volume of memoirs to her amanuensis, Georges Pitou. The performances are exceptional, and the production values high. As staged readings, these pieces were all recorded in front of audiences, whose responses throughout are integral parts of the recordings. We are all indebted to the Stratford Festival for these stellar works; with the fecundity of their dramatic soil, this should continue in perpetuity. Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Cbc Radio Canada (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 066017975X
• ISBN-13: 978-0660179759
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,752,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)