Joshua Reynolds Garrick Between Tragedy and Comedy detail, 1760-1
© The Rothschild Family Trust
(1717-1779)
'Shakespeare and Garrick,
like twin stars shall shine'
Samuel Jackson
Garrick was the most celebrated British actor of the eighteenth century. He arrived in London in 1737 with Samuel Johnson, and a few years later gained much critical acclaim for his performance as Shakespeare's Richard III. He soon became the leading figure in the London theatre, as actor, playwright, producer and joint owner of the Drury Lane theatre. Reynolds's relationship with Garrick was ambivalent. He admired Garrick's professional achievement, but thought him 'a slave to his reputation', caring more about his own name than the welfare of others.