By the end of his life, the actor and theatre manager Charles Kemble (1775-1854) had performed in over eighty theatre productions. Somewhat overshadowed by his acclaimed brother John Philip Kemble, and his legendary sister Sarah Siddons he nevertheless became an actor of some renown, making his debut in the supporting role of Malcolm to his brother’s Macbeth at Drury Lane in 1794. Unlike his siblings he acted in comedies as well as tragedies, making him a diverse and popular actor of the day.

Taking over the management of the Covent Garden Theatre in 1822 he presided over a difficult period when its best members, including the singer Catherine Stephens, were defecting to Drury Lane. He had been given a large share of the company’s ownership and full management, and over time this proved a ruinous gift, both financially and for his reputation as he was accused publicly of ‘sacrificing the higher drama to melodrama and spectacle’. His daughter’s popularity as an actress saved the company from bankruptcy, but after ten long years Kemble relinquished ownership. He and his daughter, Fanny, performed all over the world, including a tour of America. Still making headlines well in to his sixties his spectacular production of The Tempest in 1842 caused a sensation when he used a real ship in the storm scene.

Depicted by various artisits, normally in character, this sensitive and insightful portrait depicts him wearing a Regency take on Elizabethan clothes, costume often worn whilst in the role of Hamlet.