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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D5459/1/34/11 |
| Former Reference | D5459/1/105 |
| Title | Hamlet, Prince of Denmark : Mr Kemble in the character of Hamlet |
| Date | Mar 1787 |
| Description | Portrait of Kemble, dressed in black, with a powdered wig, blue sash and red garter. Available on CD 157. |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Artist | Woodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809) |
| Archive Creator | George Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer |
| Further Information | George M Woodward Delin : March 1787
"Hamlet./ Ay sir, to be honest as this world goes | So to be one man pick'd out of ten thousand | Act II Scene II"
Kemble is portrayed exactly as described by James Boaden:
"Mr Kemble played the part in a modern court dress of black velvet with a star on the breast, the garter and pendant ribbon of an order - the mourning sword and buckles with deep ruffles: the hair in powder; which, in the scenes of feigned distraction, flowed dishevelled in front and over the shoulders."
One of the Kemble acting dynasty, son of a manager of a strolling theatre company and an actress. He was one of the seven brothers and sisters who went on the stage, including his older sister Mrs Siddons, and Stephen Kemble, the actor and manager.
Hamlet was perhaps his most famous role. He made his debut in the role in Leeds in 1779, and it was said that he had written out the role some forty times as part of his preparation.
He played Hamlet at Drury Lane three times in both 1784 and 1785 and on 19 Sep 1786 and 11 Jan 1787. |
| Physical Description | Coloured drawing. Size 261 x 189 mm. Portrait. |
| Copies | A digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office. |
| Related Material | See D5459/1/12 for a depiction of Ophelia and D5459/1/4/4 for a scene from the play. |
| Publication Note | B.D.A., London Stage. |
| Image | 
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