William Charles Macready (1793-1873) was a well-known and popular actor in England during the 19th century, having first appeared in one of his father's theatres in 1810 as Romeo. Within ten years, Macready would be playing in one of London's premiere theatres, the Theatre Royal Covent Garden. His prominence beginning with a successful portrayal of Shakespeare's Richard III, he became a regular player at the rival patent theatre, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where his success was cemented as he developed further in his Shakespearean repertoire. Eventually, he would develop such memorable characters as Virginius, William Tell, Werner, Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello. In 1826 he traveled to America for the first time, meeting with success. On a subsequent American tour, his now infamous acting feud with American actor Edwin Forrest fueled nationalistic sentiments on both sides of the Atlantic which erupted in the Astor Place Riot in New York City on May 10, 1849. In this rendering, believed to be a plate from 'The Complete Works of Shakspere [sic]' in three volumes published by The London Printing and Publishing Company (not the first edition), Macready is shown in the role of Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing. Macready first considered the role of Benedick in 1833 during a disastrous season under the management of Alfred Bunn, but did not take to the stage in the comedy until Feb. 24, 1843. Macready believed he had performed the role well, but a fellow actor, James Anderson, said that the general public said he was as melancholy as a mourning-coach in a snowstorm (qtd. in Archer, Macready 137). Indeed, in this illustration Macready does look rather confused and unenthusiastic, although this could be attributed to the painter. A note on the plate says that the engraving was from an original painting by Tracey. A quote from Act 2, Sc. 3 is also featured, saying: I do much wonder, that one man seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to love, will, after he hath laughed at such shallow follies in others, become the argument of his own scorn; by falling in love: And such a man is Claudio. Production(s) represented: Jealous Wife!, Nervous Man and the Man of Nerve, Organ of Order. Character role(s) represented: Mr. Macready (Mr. Oakley), Mr. Cooper (Major Oakley), Mr. W. Farren (Russet), Mr. Walter Lacy (Lord Trinket), Mr. Buckstone (Sir Harry Beagle), Mr. Hemming (Charles), Mr. Bishop (Paris), Mr. Gallot (Capt. O'Cutter), Mr. Clark (John), Miss H. Faucit (Mrs. Oakley), Mrs. W. Clifford (Lady Freelove), Miss Travers (Harriet), Miss Gallot (Toilet), Mrs. Gallot (Betty) , Artistic role(s) represented: William Macready (Actor).