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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D5459/1/34/12 |
| Former Reference | D5459/1/101 |
| Title | Julius Caesar : Mr Bensley in the character of Cassius |
| Date | Mar 1787 |
| Description | Portrait of Bensley in profile, facing right. He wears Roman military dress: chain-mail , a short red skirt and long blue cloak. He is wearing bright red boots and has a sword strapped on. He holds out his left hand. 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 | G.M Woodward Delin : March 1787
"Cas / _ _ _ _ _ _ he doth bestride the narrow way | Like to a Colossus. - And we petty men crawl | Under his huge legs _ _ _ _ "
The early years of Robert Bensley (1742-1817) are clouded in confusion. Some claimed that he began in the strolling companies of Stanton and Robert Kemble, others said that he had served as an officer before being recommended to Garrick. He began at Drury Lane in 1766, before moving to Covent Garden. He was far from being universally acclaimed as an actor, with criticism being made of his stiffness and nasal voice. It was said that Garrick called him 'roaring Bob', due to his forceful style of declamation.
His first appearance as Cassius at Drury Lane was on 15 Feb 1775, and he went on to play the part at least four times in the 1779-1780 season. |
| Physical Description | Coloured drawing. Size 265 x 201 mm. Portrait. |
| Copies | A digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office. |
| Publication Note | B.D.A., London Stage. |
| Image | 
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