Mathews's Memorandum Book
George Cruikshank British
Subject Charles Mathews British
Publisher William Cole British
Not on view
Mathews was an acclaimed comic actor, hugely popular in London between 1818 and 1834. His talents for mimicry, facial and physical contortion, and ventriloquism were used to embody multiple characters and poke fun at a range of social and national types. His annual "At Homes" (one-man theatrical performances that presented roles in quick succession) featured a range of accents, quick costume changes, and songs and were avidly anticipated theatrical events each Spring. The 1825 performance of "The Crown In-n Danger," inspired this print which shows Nat Glibb (a waiter), Friaswaffer (a tenderhearted German cook), Molly Gramachree (an Irish itinerant carrying her son Thady), Mr. Christopher Chyle (uncle to Mr. Alum), Mr. Alum (a writing chemist), Brother Simple (member of the Loyal Laughing Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons), and Finis (Mr. Mathews on a Provincial trip) (see 17.3.888-9 for a fuller explanation of the characters).
