Monopolylogue Explained

A monopolylogue is a form of entertainment in which one actor plays many characters. Pioneered by English actor Charles Mathews and Albert Smith^[1] and first used in 1824,^[2] later used in Shakespearen performances by the performer Henry Kemble from 1846 to 1859.^[3] Matthews referred to the genre meaning where he would play "half a dozen characters",^[4] and he would switch between characters through quickly changing costumes, ventriloquism, and "sharp differentiation of character". The genre is believed to had influence on the writings of Charles Dickens.

The term and genre has been revived in the late 20th and early 21st century.

Notes and References

1. Ferguson . Susan L . 2001 . Dickens's Public Readings and the Victorian Author . SEL: Studies in English Literature 1500–1900 . 41 . 4 . 729–749 . 10.1353/sel.2001.0037 . 161779606 . 1522-9270.
2. Web site: monopolylogue Etymology, origin and meaning of monopolylogue by etymonline . 2022-07-30 . www.etymonline.com . en.
3. Anae . Nicole . 2018-07-03 . Shakespearean Henry Kemble creates a "row" on the Australian Colonial Stage, 1846–1859 . Shakespeare . en . 14 . 3 . 236–249 . 10.1080/17450918.2018.1496947 . 191555705 . 1745-0918.
4. Book: Glavin, John . Charles Dickens and His Performing Selves: Dickens and the Public Readings (review) . 2008-03-17 . Indiana University Press . 703465943.