The Arts In Berwick -- Theatre
G.F.Cooke

One of the finest actors of his day, George Frederick Cooke (1756-1812) was brought up in Berwick.

Travelling players from Edinburgh inspired him to be an actor. After running away to sea, he got his first professional role in 1773. He was brilliant, if haphazard. Excelling in villains such as Richard III and Iago, as the Thespian Dictionary of 1805 put it, "he is...soon conquered by the Tuscan grape."

Managers and audiences suffered from his chronic unreliability. He died in New York of a diseased liver.

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