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A monopolylogue is a form of entertainment in which one actor plays many characters. Pioneered by English actor Charles Mathews and Albert Smith[1] and first used in 1824,[2] later used in Shakespearen performances by the performer Henry Kemble from 1846 to 1859.[3] Matthews referred to the genre meaning where he would play "half a dozen characters",[4] and he would switch between characters through quickly changing costumes, ventriloquism, and "sharp differentiation of character".[1] The genre is believed to had influence on the writings of Charles Dickens.[4][1]

The term and genre has been revived in the late 20th and early 21st century.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c Ferguson, Susan L (2001). "Dickens's Public Readings and the Victorian Author". SEL: Studies in English Literature 1500–1900. 41 (4): 729–749. doi:10.1353/sel.2001.0037. ISSN 1522-9270. S2CID 161779606.
  2. ^ "monopolylogue | Etymology, origin and meaning of monopolylogue by etymonline". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
  3. ^ Anae, Nicole (2018-07-03). "Shakespearean Henry Kemble creates a "row" on the Australian Colonial Stage, 1846–1859". Shakespeare. 14 (3): 236–249. doi:10.1080/17450918.2018.1496947. ISSN 1745-0918. S2CID 191555705.
  4. ^ a b Glavin, John (2008-03-17). Charles Dickens and His Performing Selves: Dickens and the Public Readings (review). Indiana University Press. OCLC 703465943.
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