Charles Hart (actor) facts for kids

Charles Hart (born around 1625 – died August 18, 1683) was a very important Restoration actor in Britain. The Restoration was a time when the king returned to power after a period of civil war.

Hart likely started his acting career as a boy player with a famous group called the King's Men. Back then, young boys played all the female roles on stage. He learned a lot from an older actor named Richard Robinson. Charles Hart first became well-known for playing the Duchess in a play called The Cardinal in 1641. A writer from that time said this was the first role that made him famous.

A Soldier in the Civil War

During the English Civil War, Charles Hart stopped acting for a while. He became a soldier! He was an officer in Prince Rupert's cavalry, which is a group of soldiers who fight on horseback. Other actors, Nicholas Burt and Robert Shatterell, also joined him.

It's very likely that Hart and his friends fought in big battles like Marston Moor and Naseby. They might have also been at the Edgehill battle.

Acting During Difficult Times

After the war, Hart went back to acting. In 1648, during a time called the Commonwealth, plays were actually banned by the Puritan government. But Hart and other actors tried to bring the King's Men company back.

On February 5, 1648, Hart and other actors were arrested while performing a play called Rollo Duke of Normandy. They were put in prison for a short time, but then they were set free.

Return to the Stage

Just before the king returned to power in 1660, acting started up again. Hart became a leading actor in a new group called the King's Company. He was especially good at playing smart, witty characters who had fun, playful conversations.

He often acted with Nell Gwyn, another very famous actress. They were known for their great chemistry on stage. Hart was also praised for how well he played royal characters. He was celebrated for playing strong, powerful heroes, like the character Almanzor in John Dryden's play The Conquest of Granada.

In 1672, a writer named Richard Flecknoe wrote some lines about Hart. He said that Charles Hart was as amazing and talented as the legendary actor Burbage had been in his time.

Famous Roles

Throughout his career after the king returned, Hart played many important parts. He performed in plays by famous writers like Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and John Fletcher.

• He played Cassio in Shakespeare's Othello. Later, he even played Othello himself!
• He was Hotspur in Henry IV, Part 1.
• He played Brutus in Julius Caesar.
• He was Mosca in Volpone.

Hart also starred in many new plays written by his friends and other writers of the time.

• He played Marc Antony in John Dryden's All for Love.
• He was Cortez in Dryden's The Indian Emperour.
• He played Horner in Wycherly's The Country Wife.
• He was Alexander the Great in Lee's The Rival Queens.

Retirement

In 1682, two big acting companies, the King's Company and the Duke's Company, joined together. This new group was called the United Company. Charles Hart decided to retire because his health was not good. He received a pension of 40 shillings each week, which helped him in his retirement.