The Hypocrite

The Hypocrite is a 1768 comic play by the Irish writer Isaac Bickerstaffe.[1] It is a reworking of the 1717 play The Non-Juror by Colley Cibber, itself inspired by Molière's Tartuffe.The original play had derived much of its humour from the politics of the era, and revolved around the intrigues of Doctor Wolf, a nonjuring clergyman with strong ties to the underground Jacobite movement.[2] The first Drury Lane cast included Thomas King as Doctor Cantwell, John Hayman Packer as Sir John Lambert, Samuel Reddish as Darnley, Samuel Cautherley as Charles, Thomas Weston as Mawworm, Mary Bradshaw as Old Lady Lambert, Ann Street Barry as Lady Lambert and Frances Abington as Charlotte.[3] It premiered in Bickerstaffe's native Dublin in 1772, and was revived in London on several occasions.
Robert SmirkeIsaac BickerstaffeTheatre Royal, Drury Lanecomic playThe Non-JurorColley CibberMolièreTartuffenonjuringJacobiteMethodistDrury LaneThomas KingJohn Hayman PackerSamuel ReddishSamuel CautherleyThomas WestonMary BradshawAnn Street BarryFrances AbingtonDublinWilliam DowtonBenjamin WrenchWilliam Oxberry