''Pizarro'' is a 1799
historical
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
tragedy by
Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was inspired by
August von Kotzebue's play ''Die Spanier in Peru'', based on the
Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in 1532 by
Francisco Pizarro. It premiered at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in
London on 24 May 1799. The cast included
John Philip Kemble as Rolla,
William Barrymore as Pizarro,
Sarah Siddons as Elvira,
Dorothea Jordan as Cora,
Charles Kemble
Charles Kemble (25 November 1775 – 12 November 1854) was a Welsh-born English actor of a prominent theatre family.
Life
Charles Kemble was one of 13 siblings and the youngest son of English Roman Catholic theatre manager/actor Roger Kemble, ...
as Alonzo,
John Powell as Ataliba,
Thomas Caulfield as Almagro, Robert Palmer as Valverde,
James Aickin as Las Casas,
Richard Suett
Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stron ...
as Diego,
William Dowton
William Dowton (1764–1851) was a British actor.
Early life
Dowton, the son of an innkeeper and grocer at Exeter, was born in that city on 25 April 1764. At an early age he worked with a marble cutter, but in 1780 was articled to an archite ...
as Grozembo,
William Chatterley as Boy and
Charles Holland as Centinel. The music was composed by
Michael Kelly. The
epilogue was written by
William Lamb, the future
Prime Minister.
[Gross p.37] It was popular success, running for 31 consecutive nights and being revived on a number of occasions. Sheridan's version was produced during the
war with France, at a time when an invasion was feared.
References
Bibliography
* Gross, Jonathan David (ed.) ''Byron's "Corbeau Blanc": The Life and Letters of Lady Melbourne''. Texas A&M University Press, 1998.
* Kelly, Linda. ''Richard Brinsley Sheridan''. : A Life''. Faber & Faber, 2012.
* Morwood, James & Crane, David. ''Sheridan Studies''. Cambridge University Press, 1995.
1799 plays
West End plays
Historical plays
Tragedy plays
British plays
Plays set in the 16th century
Plays by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
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