Charles Napier
Charles Napier was an officer in the 60th Regiment of the Royal Artillery of the British Garrison, and one of founder members and regular performers for the English Amateurs ("All the World's a Stage") from 1807 onwards.
Referred to as Mr Napier, Lieutenant Charles Napier and Captain Napier on occasion. (Same person?) Is this perhaps the youthful
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
He tended to specialize in young roles, and was particularly highly regarded for his young female roles, and he is specifically mentioned for the role of "Miss Hardcastle" in She Stoops to Conquer (20 June, 1807), "Lydia" in The Rivals, "Charlotte Rusport" in The West Indian, "Princess Huncamunca" in Tom Thumb, "Anna" in The Tragedy of Douglas, "Charlotte" in The Padlock, Other unnamed roles were in The Old Maid, The Brothers (Cumberland). He read an address - written by Captain Frazer - in his role as "Cherry"which he on 8 August, 1807, during a performance of The Beaux Stratagem.
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]: pp.72-74,
Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: pp. 35-53
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