Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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Wikipedia
Michael Mohun (1616?—buried October 11, 1684) was a leading British actor both before and after the 1642—1660 closing of the theatres. He was also active in 1659, performing with other pre-Commonwealth actors in an unlicensed troupe at the Red Bull Theatre. As the manager of the troupe, Mohun came to an agreement with the Master of the Revels to pay fees for the privilege of performing, and later, after a complex power struggle for the two company patents issued by Charles II at the Restoration of the monarchy, he became a full sharer in Thomas Killigrew's King's Company. Along with Charles Hart, the other leading male actor, Mohun was in a position of some authority, often signing official papers on behalf of the sharing actors. He remained a member of the King's Company until he left the stage on account of age and ill-health in the late 1670s.
Mohun regularly acted leading and major roles, mostly villains. His interpretations of Iago and of the title role in Ben Jonson's Volpone were famous, and he brought a sinister edge to the part of Pinchwife in William Wycherley's The Country Wife. Mohun repeatedly seconded Charles Hart's leads, playing Iago to Hart's Othello, and Cassius to Hart's Brutus.
[edit] Sources
- Highfill, Philip Jr, Burnim, Kalman A., and Langhans, Edward (1973–93). Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800. 16 volumes. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press.
1893 text
Michael Mohun, or Moone, the celebrated actor, who had borne a major’s commission in the King’s army. The period of his death is uncertain, but he is known to have been dead in 1691. Downes relates that an eminent poet [Lee] seeing him act Mithridates “vented suddenly this saying: ‘Oh, Mohun, Mohun, thou little man of mettle, if I should write a 100, I’d write a part for thy mouth.’” —Roscius Anglicanus, p. 17.
Annotations
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Successful career in the theatre
(1620-?91)
He turned 40 in 1660.
ACTOR,
before the Civil WarMANAGER OF THE COMPANY,
Red Bull Theatre, Clerkenwell, 1660LEADING ACTOR, DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER
King’s Company, United Company— L&M Companion volume