Charles Kemble (1775-1854), Actor, theatre manager and playwright

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The actor and theatre manager Charles Kemble conducted his career in the shadow of his acclaimed brother John Philip Kemble, and his legendary sister Sarah Siddons. He made his debut in the supporting role of Malcolm to his brother's Macbeth at Drury Lane in 1794. Unlike his siblings he acted in comedies as well as tragedies. He managed Covent Garden Theatre between 1822 and 1832; a difficult period when its best members, including the singer Catherine Stephens, were defecting to Drury Lane. Kemble's spectacular production of The Tempest (1842) caused a sensation when he used a real ship in the storm scene.