An Apology for the Life

A copy in excellent condition Cibber, Colley (1671-1757) An Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber, Comedian, and Late Patentee of the Theatre-Royal. with an Historical View of the Stage During His Own Time. Written by Himself: London; Printed By John Watts For The Author And Sold By W. Lewis, 1740. 2nd Edition. Subjects; Dramatists & Theatrical Managers, English--18th century--Biography. Theater--Great Britain--Early works to 1800. 488 ppFull leather binding with red title label. Arnott and Robinson 2556.Cibber was an actor, theatre manager and playwright. The Apology includes numerous references to contemporary singers and opera in general and occasionally to contemporary dance. An important contribution to early 18th century music. "With all its vanity and faults of grammar, style, and organization, [the Apology] is one of the most important theatrical books ever written and Cibber's greatest contribution to arts and letters. The Apology needs no apology; if Cibber had not written it, our understanding of the theatre of his time and the people in it would be very dim indeed. Many of his sketches of actors are perceptively written, and in some cases Cibber is our only source of information. His candid, though slanted, story of the management of Drury Lane reveals the inner workings of the early eighteenth century theatre as no other source does. The portrait of Colley himself - who was the most important figure in the London theatre between Betterton and Garrick - is invaluable.".…