Background
Thomas Betterton was born about 1635 in London, United Kingdom; the son of an under-cook to King Charles I.
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book
Barnaby brittle: or, a wife at her wit's end: a farce; in two acts: as it is now performing with universal applause at the Theatre-Royal, Covent ... from Moliere and Betterton; with additions.
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars. The eighteenth-century fascination with Greek and Roman antiquity followed the systematic excavation of the ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum in southern Italy; and after 1750 a neoclassical style dominated all artistic fields. The titles here trace developments in mostly English-language works on painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, and other disciplines. Instructional works on musical instruments, catalogs of art objects, comic operas, and more are also included. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ Cambridge University Library T164365 The imprint is stamped below the original imprint which reads: Dublin: printed by Geroge Perrin. 1790. An alteration of Betterton's 'Amorous widow', which in turn was adapted from Moliere's 'George Dandin'. Dublin : Sold by G. Walsh, 19, Wood-Quay, 1790. 35,1p. ; 8°
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The vocal and instrumental musick of The prophetess, or, The history of Dioclesian composed by Henry Purcell ... (1691)
( EARLY SOCIAL CUSTOMS. Imagine holding history in your h...)
EARLY SOCIAL CUSTOMS. Imagine holding history in your hands. Now you can. Digitally preserved and previously accessible only through libraries as Early English Books Online, this rare material is now available in single print editions. Thousands of books written between 1475 and 1700 can be delivered to your doorstep in individual volumes of high quality historical reproductions. Social customs, human interaction and leisure are the driving force of any culture. These unique and quirky works give us a glimpse of interesting aspects of day-to-day life as it existed in an earlier time. With books on games, sports, traditions, festivals, and hobbies it is one of the most fascinating collections in the series. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ The vocal and instrumental musick of The prophetess, or, The history of Dioclesian composed by Henry Purcell ... Dioclesian Prophetess. Purcell, Henry, 1659-1695. Fletcher, John, 1579-1625. Beaumont, Francis, 1584-1616. The text was adapted from Beaumont and Fletcher's The prophetess by Thomas Betterton. First ed. Cf. DNB. Advertisements: 2 p. at end. 1 score (4, 173, 2 p.) London : Printed by J. Heptinstall for the author, and are to be sold by John Carr at his shop ..., 1691. Day & Murray. Songbooks / 111 Wing / P4223 English Reproduction of the original in the Library of Congress ++++ This book represents an authentic reproduction of the text as printed by the original publisher. While we have attempted to accurately maintain the integrity of the original work, there are sometimes problems with the original work or the micro-film from which the books were digitized. This can result in errors in reproduction. Possible imperfections include missing and blurred pages, poor pictures, markings and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.
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The counterfeit bridegroom, or, The defeated widow a comedy, as it is acted at His Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre. (1677)
( EARLY ENGLISH WIT, POETRY & SATIRE. Imagine holding his...)
EARLY ENGLISH WIT, POETRY & SATIRE. Imagine holding history in your hands. Now you can. Digitally preserved and previously accessible only through libraries as Early English Books Online, this rare material is now available in single print editions. Thousands of books written between 1475 and 1700 can be delivered to your doorstep in individual volumes of high quality historical reproductions. The power of literary device was never more in its prime than during this period of history, where a wide array of political and religious satire mocked the status quo and poetry called humankind to transcend the rigors of daily life through love, God or principle. This series comments on historical patterns of the human condition that are still visible today. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ The counterfeit bridegroom, or, The defeated widow a comedy, as it is acted at His Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre. Middleton, Thomas, d. 1627. Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689. Betterton, Thomas, 1635?-1710. An alteration of Middleton's "No wit, no help like a woman's", ascribed to Mrs. Behn and to Betterton. Cf. Genest's Account of the English stage, v. 1, p. 212-213; A. Nicoll's History of restoration drama, 1660-1700, p. 247. 4, 58, 1 p. London : Printed for Langley Curtiss ..., 1677. Wing / M1983 English Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery ++++ This book represents an authentic reproduction of the text as printed by the original publisher. While we have attempted to accurately maintain the integrity of the original work, there are sometimes problems with the original work or the micro-film from which the books were digitized. This can result in errors in reproduction. Possible imperfections include missing and blurred pages, poor pictures, markings and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1240812213/?tag=2022091-20
The wanton wife, a comedy, in two acts, as performed at the Theatre in Smock-Alley. Taken from Moliere and D'Ancourt. By Mr. Betterton.
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars. The eighteenth-century fascination with Greek and Roman antiquity followed the systematic excavation of the ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum in southern Italy; and after 1750 a neoclassical style dominated all artistic fields. The titles here trace developments in mostly English-language works on painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, and other disciplines. Instructional works on musical instruments, catalogs of art objects, comic operas, and more are also included. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ Bodleian Library (Oxford) N025112 An adaptation of Molière's 'George Dandin'. First published in 1706 as 'The amorous widow'. Dublin : printed by William Sleater, 1762. 33,1p. ; 12°
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The amorous widow: or, the wanton wife. A comedy. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's servants. By Mr. Betterton.
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars. The eighteenth-century fascination with Greek and Roman antiquity followed the systematic excavation of the ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum in southern Italy; and after 1750 a neoclassical style dominated all artistic fields. The titles here trace developments in mostly English-language works on painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, and other disciplines. Instructional works on musical instruments, catalogs of art objects, comic operas, and more are also included. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ Bodleian Library (Oxford) N002532 An adaptation of Molière's 'George Dandin'. London : printed for W. Feales, and sold by the booksellers of London and Westminster, 1737. 84p. ; 12°
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Thomas Betterton
Thomas Betterton was an English actor.
Education
Betterton was apprenticed to John Holden Sir William Davenant's publisher, and possibly later to a bookseller named Rhodes, who had been wardrobe-keeper to the theatre in Blackfriars.
Career
John Rhodes obtained in 1659 a licence to set up a company of players at the Cockpit in Drury Lane; and on the reopening of this theatre in 1660, Betterton made his first appearance on the stage. His talents at once brought him into prominence, and he was given leading parts. On the opening of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields in 1661, Sir William Davenant, the patentee, engaged Betterton and all Rhodes's company to play in his Siege of Rhodes. Betterton, besides being a public favourite, was held in high esteem by Charles II, who sent him to Paris to examine stage improvements there. According to Cibber it was after his return that shifting scenes instead of tapestry were first used in an English theatre. In 1692, in an unfortunate speculation, Betterton and his friend Sir Francis Watson were ruined; but Betterton's affection for Sir Francis was so strong that he adopted the latter's daughter and educated her for the stage. In 1693, with the aid of friends, he erected the New Playhouse in the tennis court in Lincoln's Inn Fields. It was opened in 1695 with Congreve's Love for Love. But in a few years the profits fell off; and Betterton, labouring under the infirmities of age and gout, determined to quit the stage. At his benefit performance, when the profits are said to have been over £500, he played Valentine in Love for Love. In 1710 he made his last appearance as Melantius in The Maid's Tragedy, he died on the 28th of April, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Pepys, Pope, Steele and Cibber all bestow lavish praise on his acting. His repertory included a large number of Shakespearian roles, and although many of these were presented in the tasteless versions of Davenant, Dryden, Shadweil and Nahum Tate, yet they could not hide the great histrionic gifts which Betterton possessed, nor does his reputation rest on these performances alone.
Betterton was author of several adaptations which were popular in their day.
Achievements
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Betterson's innovation in scenery and theatre management, and his contributions to theatre making shaped the culture of English theatre.
Works
book
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Barnaby brittle: or, a wife at her wit's end: a farce; in two acts: as it is now performing with universal applause at the Theatre-Royal, Covent ... from Moliere and Betterton; with additions.
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
-
The wanton wife, a comedy, in two acts, as performed at the Theatre in Smock-Alley. Taken from Moliere and D'Ancourt. By Mr. Betterton.
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
-
The amorous widow: or, the wanton wife. A comedy. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's servants. By Mr. Betterton.
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
-
The counterfeit bridegroom, or, The defeated widow a comedy, as it is acted at His Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre. (1677)
( EARLY ENGLISH WIT, POETRY & SATIRE. Imagine holding his...)
-
The vocal and instrumental musick of The prophetess, or, The history of Dioclesian composed by Henry Purcell ... (1691)
( EARLY SOCIAL CUSTOMS. Imagine holding history in your h...)
-
Barnaby brittle: or, a wife at her wit's end: a farce; in two acts: as it is now performing with universal applause at the Theatre-Royal, Covent ... from Moliere and Betterton; with additions.
Personality
In appearance he was athletic, slightly above middle height, with a tendency to stoutness; his voice was strong rather than melodious, but in recitation it was used with the greatest dexterity. The blamelessness of his life was conspicuous in an age and a profession notorious for dissolute habits.
Connections
In 1662 he had married Mary Saunderson (d. 1712), an admirable actress, whose Ophelia shared the honours with his Hamlet.
- Wife:
- Mary Saunderson
- Friend:
- Sir Francis Watson
actress
References
- The Life and Times of the Excellent and Renowned Actor Thomas Betterton
- Thomas Betterton (Classic Reprint)
- "Their Majesties' servants." Annals of the English stage, from Thomas Betterton to Edmund Kean,
- His Majesty's Well-Beloved: An Episode in the Life of Mr. Thomas Betteron as told by His Friend John Honeywood
- Thomas Betterton and the Management of Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1605-1708
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Born
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Died
April 28, 1710 (aged 75) -
Resting place
Westminster Abbey, London, United Kingdom -
Nationality
British -
Ethnicity