author
Frederick Reynolds
1764–1841
A hugely prolific English dramatist of the Georgian stage, he wrote close to a hundred comedies and tragedies and became especially known for lively theatrical pieces that caught the fashions of the moment. His memoirs also offer a firsthand glimpse into London’s theatrical world in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
1 Audiobook
The Dramatist; Or, Stop Him Who Can! A Comedy, in Five Acts
by Frederick Reynolds
About the author
Born in London on November 1, 1764, Frederick Reynolds was educated at Westminster School and briefly entered the Middle Temple to study law before turning to the theatre instead. That choice led to a long writing career on the British stage, where he became known as a remarkably productive dramatist.
Reynolds wrote nearly one hundred plays, including comedies, tragedies, and musical entertainments, and a number of them enjoyed real popularity in their day. He is still remembered in part for The Dramatist; or, Stop Him Who Can and for the way his work captured contemporary tastes, manners, and theatrical trends.
Later in life, he published The Life and Times of Frederick Reynolds. Written by Himself, a memoir that helps preserve his voice beyond the stage. He died on April 16, 1841, but his career remains a vivid example of how busy, fast-moving, and audience-driven the London theatre world could be.