Charles Farley (1771–1859) was an English actor and dramatist. Charles Farley Woolnoth

Career

Farley was born in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

and entered the theatrical profession at an early age, making his first appearance as a page at Covent Garden Theatre, London, in 1782. He came to notice in legitimate drama as Osric in ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'', Trip in ''

The School for Scandal ''The School for Scandal'' is a comedy of manners written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on 8 May 1777. Plot Act I Scene I: Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy young widow, and her hireling Sn ...

'', and similar parts. He was better known, however, as a melodramatic performer and as an efficient stage-manager. He was the instructor of Joseph Grimaldi, with whom he starred in a production of ''

Valentine and Orson ''Valentine and Orson'' is a romance which has been attached to the Carolingian cycle. Synopsis It is the story of twin brothers, abandoned in the woods in infancy. Valentine is brought up as a knight at the court of Pepin, while Orson grows up ...

'' in 1806, Farley playing the former role. He also assisted Thomas Dibdin in the composition of '' Harlequin and Mother Goose'', the show which boosted Grimaldi to stardom. From 1806 to 1834 the Covent Garden pantomimes owed much of their success to Farley's inventive mind and diligent superintendence. As a theatrical machinist he was in his time without a rival, and he was the originator of many of the incidents and tricks introduced into the dramas and pantomimes at this house. His acting was in the old-fashioned noisy manner, with much gesture, a popular style with the contemporary audience. He retired from public life in 1834, and died at his residence, 42 Ampthill Square, Hampstead Road, London, on 28 January 1859.

Appearances

Notable roles include Sanguinback in ''Cherry and Fair Star'', Grindoff in ''The Miller and his Men'' (a piece for which Sir H. R. Bishop wrote charming music),

Robinson Crusoe ''Robinson Crusoe'' () is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published on 25 April 1719. The first edition credited the work's protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author, leading many readers to believe he was a real person and the book a tra ...

, and his

Timour the Tartar ''Timour the Tartar'' is an 1811 hippodrama play by English dramatist Matthew Lewis. The equestrian drama was a popular success.Gamer, MichaelA Matter of Turf: Romanticism, Hippodrama, and Satire in ''Nineteenth-Century Contexts'', Vol. 28, No ...

. He also played comedic characters, such as Jeremy in ''

Love for Love ''Love for Love'' is a Restoration comedy written by British playwright William Congreve. It premiered on 30 April 1695 at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre. Staged by Thomas Betterton's company the original cast included Betterton as Valenti ...

'' and Lord Trinket in ''

The Jealous Wife ''The Jealous Wife'' is a 1761 British play by George Colman the Elder. A comedy, it was first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre on 12 February 1761 and ran for 19 performances in its first season and 70 by the end of the century. It was trans ...

''.

Written Pieces

Farley wrote many plays himself, most of which were not printed. Some notable works include: * ''Raymond and Agnes, or the Castle of Lindenburgh'' (air, glees and choruses), 1797. * ''The Magic Oak, a Christmas Pantomime'', 1799. * ''Red Roy, or Oswyn and Helen'', 1803. * ''Aggression, or the Heroine of Yucatan'', 1805. * ''Harlequin and Mother Shipton. Arranged and produced by Mr. Farley'' 1826. * ''Henry IV, Part II. Arranged by Mr. Farley, with four additional scenes representing the Coronation in the Abbey'' 1821.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Farley, Charles 1771 births 1859 deaths English dramatists and playwrights 18th-century British dramatists and playwrights 18th-century English male actors Male actors from London 19th-century English male actors English male stage actors English male dramatists and playwrights 18th-century English male writers