Luke Sparks
Luke Sparks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1711 |
| Died | 1768 (aged 56–57) |
| Occupation | stage actor |
Luke Sparks (1711–1768) was an Irish stage actor of the eighteenth century.[1]
Life
[edit]
He was born in Dublin, the son of a staymaker and brother of Isaac Sparks who also became an actor. His first known role was at the Smock Alley Theatre in 1733. For several years he alternated between Smock Alley and the Ransford Street Theatre, also in Dublin. In 1739 he appeared in London at Covent Garden and Drury Lane in George Farquhar's The Twin Rivals.[2]
Returning for Dublin for several years he featured at the new Aungier Street Theatre. From 1745 to 1748 he was part of the company at Drury Lane, before shifting to Covent Garden in October 1748 where he remained until 1765.[3] He took on a number of parts in Shakespeare plays including Gloucester and Kent in King Lear,[4] and Henry IV.[5] He was among the actors impersonated by actor and theatre manager Tate Wilkinson early in his career.[6][7] When Sparks complained to the director, David Garrick, Garrick responded "Come, come, Luke, you had better take no notice of it ; consider, if you are mimicked, it is in good company." Sparks replied "True, but I have known many a man ruined by keeping good company."[8]
William Clark Russell noted that Sparks was "was distinguished by his amiability and his general usefulness" as an actor, and "equally good in tragedy and that comedy." William Rufus Chetwood noted "He may be accounted a person in the highest second-class."[8]
By 1761 he was earning £7 a week. He retired in 1765, possibly due health and settled in Brentford.[3] His son James Sparks also acted briefly on the London stage.
References
[edit]- ↑ Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.211
- ↑ Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.211
- 1 2 Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.212
- ↑ Hicks, Penelope. "THE FORTUNES OF KING LEAR IN LONDON BETWEEN 1681 AND 1838: a chronological account of its adaptors, actors and editors, and of the links between them" (PDF). University College London Discovery. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Scouten, Arthur H. (1956). "The Increase in Popularity of Shakespeare's Plays in the Eighteenth Century: A Caveat for Interpretors of Stage History". Shakespeare Quarterly. 7 (2): 189–202. doi:10.2307/2866438. ISSN 0037-3222.
- ↑ "Memoirs of His Own Life". maggs.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ "The Project Gutenberg eBook of Their Majesties' Servants Vol 2 of 3, by Dr. Doran". www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- 1 2 Russell, William Clark (1888). Representative actors: A collection of criticisms, anecdotes, personal descriptions, etc., etc., referring to many celebrated British actors from the sixteenth to the present century; with notes, memoirs, and a short account of English acting. London: F. Warne. pp. 152, 171.
Bibliography
[edit]- Highfill, Philip H, Burnim, Kalman A. & Langhans, Edward A. A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers, and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800: Volume VIX. SIU Press, 1973.