Edwin Forrest

Edwin Forrest (1806-1872)

Photo Credit: Edwin Forrest, tragedian [graphic] / J.W. Childe, del; H. Meyer, sct.

London: Pubd. For the proprietor J. Childe, 1836. Meyer, Henry Hoppner, 1783-1847, printmaker. Folger Shakespeare Library Call #: Art File F728 no. 7 (size S). Used by permission of the Folger Shakespeare Library.

FALSE FACE, FALSE HEART, my YA Historical project, set in the Bowery Theatre in New York City during the tumultuous year of 1849 has sent me on a journey Combing Through Research.

Edwin Forrest began his acting career at the age of 14 in Philadelphia. Much to his mother’s disappointment, the acting bug bit the young man and there was no turning back. He went on to appear at the Walnut Street Theatre where he learned a great deal from fellow actors, most of them British. In 1826 he made his New York City debut as Othello at the Park Theatre, repeating the same role at the Bowery Theatre later that year. At the age of 21, his popularity rivaled any actor from across the pond.

Forrest was a charismatic sensation. Tall and muscular, with a deep resonant voice he appealed to the working class with an uninhibited, scrappy style and strength, much like how Americans saw their new nation. However, elites found his approach uncouth and vulgar, preferring the British actor William Macready. In the late 1840’s Forrest played London and audiences hissed his portrayal of Macbeth. Convinced, Macready had put audiences up to the negative feedback, Forrest attended a production of Hamlet in Edinburgh starring Macready and in turn, hissed at the British actor. (In case you haven’t figured it out, hissing was one the highest insults an audience member could make to an actor at the time)

Back in America in 1849, while Macready was playing Macbeth at the Astor Place Opera House, friends of Forrest caused such a disruption the curtain rang down before the performance was over. On a second night, rioting took place outside the Opera House by protestors who detested the British actor. At another theatre, Forrest egged on his supporters to escalate the conflict. The rivalry between the two actors mirrored the angry sentiments between the gentry and the working class. Twenty-three people died and hundreds were wounded, most of whom were innocent bystanders. Forrest’s reputation was forever tarnished by the tragedy of the Astor Place Theatre Riots.

He continued to act in future years but gout paralyzed his hand and leg which stymied his career. He died of a stroke at the age of 66 in Philadelphia. Part of the fortune he amassed over his career was used to build the Edwin Forrest Home, a retirement residence for elderly actors. In the 1980’s it relocated to Englewood, New Jersey. Today, the main section of the Actors’ Fund nursing home is named the “Edwin Forrest Wing” in honor of his legacy.  

Photo Credit: Library of Congress. Reproduction Number LCDIGppmsca39919.

Sources:

Cliff, Nigel. The Shakespeare Riots. New York: Random House, 2007.

Stempel, Larry. Showtime: a history of the Broadway musical theatre. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.