One of the bloodiest incidents in New York’s history, the so-called Astor Place Riot of May 10, 1849, was ignited by a long-simmering grudge ...
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reviews
Jul 25, 2010
Emily
rated it: 
Mr. Cliff's book, ostensibly about two rival actors in the 1840s, one American and one English, is actually much broader in scope. Starting with the bloody, seminal Astor Place riot of May 10, 1849, he elucidates the state of relations between the two countries, the role theatre in general and Shakespeare in particular played in the contemporary culture, growing class distinctions in America, the westward expansion due to Manifest Destiny, and changing attitudes toward acting as a profession an
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Jun 15, 2010
Dana
rated it: 
Three centuries after Shakespeare died, across the pond, New Yorkers rioted over the relative merits of Macbeth as played by a British actor and an American one. The National Guard was called out, people actually died, and the British actor had to be hustled out of the country for his own safety. America had embraced Shakespeare as one of their own, and he was read so extensively and so intensively that audiences from rural Kentucky to California gold mines could shout out the correct line when
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Mar 26, 2011
This is an amazing and well-documented tale of a little known chapter in British-American relations, and a time when Shakespeare was popular enough to be recited on the American frontier. The Astor Place Riot in New York City broke out on the evening of May 10, 1849, partially due to competing performances of Macbeth. The conflict had roots not only in the strained relations between the followers of the leading Shakespearean actors of the day, American Edwin Forrest and Englishman William Charle
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Aug 05, 2008
Dan
rated it:
Without NPR I'm nothing. I swear.
There was a discussion of this book with the author one morning, and the idea caught me. With passions still running high after our break from British rule in the late 1700's, two friendly (and illustrious) Shakespearean actors put their friendship aside and fought with each other, publicly and onstage, with such ill consequence that it led to a riot in front of the theater at which one was performing. The personalities were interesting, the circumst More...
There was a discussion of this book with the author one morning, and the idea caught me. With passions still running high after our break from British rule in the late 1700's, two friendly (and illustrious) Shakespearean actors put their friendship aside and fought with each other, publicly and onstage, with such ill consequence that it led to a riot in front of the theater at which one was performing. The personalities were interesting, the circumst More...
Aug 16, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Hmm. Was expecting a more interesting book. I liked some of this but kept losing track of the main storyline. And the writing was, well, calling it purple prose would pretty much fit. I think the guy is just trying too hard.
Aug 20, 2008
Loren
rated it: 
I found the book a little hard to read, but this book covers a period of time and a portion of society I knew nothing about. With the current demands on your time of the Internet, iPods, TV, Movies, etc, it is interesting to read about a time when going to plays was commonplace for people and actors could lead to an all out riot. From today's current elitizing of Shakespeare and academic forcitude of school, I never realized just how much of an impact Shakespeare had on all of society.
Dec 01, 2011
Kristi
rated it:
I'm loving this so far. I had no knowledge of these events until I picked up this book. I've always had a fascination with 1830s-40s New York (Five Points, Tammany Hall, etc) as well as the relationship between England and the US, so this is well-suited for me. Enjoying learning about the varied insults and neuroses that go with the turf of being a Shakespearean actor who is alternately reviled and revered. Fascinating!
Jun 02, 2009
This books tries to use the lives of two 19th actors to explain the Astor Place riots, and although it does a good job describing the state of Shakespeare in the 19thC, it has to fall back on class and race to explain the riots, leaving the main characters as incidental props in a much larger tragedy.
Jun 15, 2010
Karen
rated it:
Gave up on page 73. The story was interesting. The author didn't tie it together enough for me and he had a penchant for using very long, obscure words. I like learning new words as much as the next bibliophile, but i also feel that if you can say the same thing with simple words, you should.
Aug 20, 2008
George
rated it:
This book has revived my interest in the history of Five Points (ala The Gangs of New York) in 19th Century Manhattan. Here's three books on that subject to be considered:
Five Points, by Tyler Anbinder;
The Gangs of New York, by Herbert Asbury; and
The Five Points, by Rocco Dormarunno
Five Points, by Tyler Anbinder;
The Gangs of New York, by Herbert Asbury; and
The Five Points, by Rocco Dormarunno
Nov 28, 2009
Nina
rated it:
This is an extremely interesting account of the notorious riots, as well as the events that lead up to the riots, the social climate in New York City at the time, and American and British Theatre history during the 1800s.
Nov 16, 2007
Anne girl
rated it:
good fun--reading it with educational lens--lots of cool interdisciplinary stuff in there for U.S. history and Shakespeare. Frontier men reciting Shakespeare round the fire at night, etc.
Dec 06, 2007
I wrote about wanting to read this book (after reading an article on it) in my LiveJournal (with link to the article).
Jun 17, 2010
Tara
rated it:
While it bogged down a bit around the 1/2 way mark it kept my attention and added insight into a period I don't know much about.
Nov 03, 2008
Florence
rated it:
The theatre was once patronized by the masses, not the elite. Things got pretty exciting sometimes.
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