WILKINSON (Tate).
Memoirs of His Own Life
THEATRICAL LIFE IN GEORGIAN ENGLAND
The autobiography of the vibrant actor and theatre manager Tate Wilkinson (1739-1803).
This charming autobiography in four volumes contains many amusing anecdotes from Wilkinson’s life, such as his recollection of his first stage appearance in October 1758 under David Garrick, the revered actor-manager of Drury Lane (ODNB). That evening, Wilkinson gave a range of impersonations of contemporary well known actors and although this display was of great amusement to the audience, “one of his victims, the actor Luke Sparks, complained to Garrick and demanded that the imitations be withdrawn” (ODNB). Although Garrick consented to have the performance pulled, the reaction of the audience was “so riotous that Garrick immediately capitulated” (ODNB).
Aside from being highly amusing, this book is also appealing as an account of the theatrical world of the period.
