An Apology for the Life of Mr. Colley Cibber, Volume 1 (of 2)

Colley Cibber’s own memoir opens a vivid window onto the bustling world of Restoration and early‑Georgian theatre. With a voice that is both boastful and self‑deprecating, he sketches his beginnings on the stage, his ascent to managerial power, and the colourful personalities that populated the playhouses of London. The narrative is peppered with anecdotes about productions, rivalries, and the everyday dramas that shaped a career spanning more than half a century.

This newly edited volume enriches the original text with scholarly notes that untangle Cibber’s often vague recollections, anchoring them to contemporary records and rare documents such as the Davenant patent. Twenty‑six mezzotint portraits and a dozen etchings bring the era’s faces to life, while supplementary tracts and a concise bibliography guide listeners toward deeper exploration. Together they offer a well‑rounded portrait of a man who lived, loved, and fought his way through the golden age of English drama.