Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 9, 2026

Master Clarke

Master Clarke is an 1840 historical play by the British writer Thomas James Serle. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on 26 September 1840. It revolves around the life of Richard Cromwell, deposed Lord Protector of England, during the seventeenth century.

Last revised
Jul 9, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
188 w
Citations
3
Source
Master Clarke
Original languageEnglish
Written byThomas James Serle
GenreHistorical
SettingLondon, 17th century
Premiere
Date26 September 1840
PlaceTheatre Royal, Haymarket, London

Master Clarke is an 1840 historical play by the British writer Thomas James Serle.1 It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on 26 September 1840.2 It revolves around the life of Richard Cromwell, deposed Lord Protector of England, during the seventeenth century.

Cast

The original cast included William Macready as Richard Cromwell, Benjamin Nottingham Webster as Charles II of England, Samuel Phelps as General Lord Disbrowe, Walter Lacy as Ingoldsby, Henry Howe as Sir Richard Willis, William Henry Oxberry as Smoothly, George John Bennett as Captain Darnel and Helena Faucit as Lady Dorothy Cromwell. The play was not a great success, partly due to the fact that Macready had not properly learned the part which was to be a growing problem for him.3

References

References

  1. Carlisle p.82
  2. Nicoll p.390
  3. Downer p.198
Bibliography

Bibliography

  • Carlisle, Carol Jones. Helen Faucit: Fire and Ice on the Victorian Stage. Society for Theatre Research, 2000.
  • Downer, Alan Seymour. The Eminent Tragedian William Charles Macready. Harvard University Press, 1966.
  • Nicoll, Allardyce. A History of Early Nineteenth Century Drama 1800-1850. Cambridge University Press, 1930.