Charles Mathews (1776–1835)

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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The comic actor Charles Mathews's distinctive appearance, lop-sided mouth and remarkable gift for mimicry ensured huge contemporary popularity. In a double to act with fellow comedian John Liston, Mathews played the quick-thinking wit to Liston's gullible fool. During the summer months he toured the provinces and began to develop the idea of a one-man show. This eventually became the famous 'Mr Mathews at Home' which combined mimicry, story-telling, quick-change artistry, comic songs and improvisation. It was equally popular in England and the USA where he toured from 1822 to 1823 and 1834.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

Charles Mathews (1776–1835)

Date

1822

Medium

plaster

Measurements

H 55.9 x W (?) x D (?) cm

Accession number

1710

Acquisition method

donated by C. E. Pym, 1913

Work type

Bust

Inscription description

incised

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