''Mahomet the Imposter'' is a 1744

tragedy Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...

by the British writer James Miller. His final play, it was inspired by the 1736 French work '' Mahomet'' by

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778) was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his '' nom de plume'' M. de Voltaire (; also ; ), he was famous for his wit, and his criticism of Christianity—es ...

. It was Miller's only tragedy, as his other works were sentimental comedies.Nicoll p.111 The title is sometimes spelt as ''Mahomet the Impostor''. The original Drury Lane cast included David Garrick as Zaphna,

Dennis Delane Dennis Delane (died April 1750) was an Irish stage actor who appeared for many years at the leading London theatres. Beginnings in Dublin Delane was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and originally intended to become a lawyer.Highfill, Burnim & ...

as Mahomet, Henry Giffard as Alcanor,

Richard Winstone Richard Winstone (1699-1787) was a British stage actor of the eighteenth century. In 1732 Winstone joined Henry Giffard's Goodman's Fields Theatre. After this he worked at several London theatres including Lincoln's Inn Fields, Haymarket Theat ...

as Pharon and Anna Marcella Giffard as Palmira.

References

Bibliography

* Nicoll, Allardyce. ''A History of Early Eighteenth Century Drama: 1700-1750''. CUP Archive, 1927. 1744 plays Tragedy plays West End plays Plays by James Miller Cultural depictions of Muhammad {{1740s-play-stub