Theophilus Cibber

Theophilus Cibber in the role of Ancient Pistol

Theophilus Cibber (25 or 26 November 1703[1] – October 1758) was an English actor, playwright, author, and son of the actor-manager Colley Cibber.

He began acting at an early age, and followed his father into theatrical management. In 1727, Alexander Pope satirised Theophilus Cibber in his Dunciad as a youth who "thrusts his person full into your face" (III 132). On the stage, he was famous for playing Pistol in Henry IV, Part 2, and some of the comic roles his father had played when younger, but unsympathetic critics accused him of overemphasis.[2] His private life later led Theophilus into bad reputation and scandal. In October of 1758, Theophilus set sail for Dublin at the behest of Thomas Sheridan, owner of the Theatre Royal. However, his ship was driven off course and Theophilus perished when it was wrecked off the coast of Scotland.

  1. ^ He was baptised at the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, on 19 December, and the entry in the parish register states that he was born on 25 November (originals and microfilm held at Westminster Archives, Vol. 9-10); however, some secondary sources have given the date as the 26th.
  2. ^ Barker, p. 166