Macready is born in London in 1793 to parents who are both successful actors. He makes his own stage debut in 1810 as Romeo and goes on to master the classics. His first tour to the United States in in 1826, after which he adds a managerial presence at Covent Garden in 1837 and Drury Lane in 1841. He is back in America in 1843-4 and then again in 1849, where he is involuntary caught up in the famous Astor Opera Place riot which springs from class warfare in the Bowery section of Upper Manhattan. This culminates an ongoing battle between Britain’s Macready as symbol of the upscale classes and the leading American actor, Edwin Forrest, the darling of the common day laborers. On May 8 Macready’s opening night performance of Macbeth is shut down by protesters in the balcony throwing rotten eggs and ever chairs onto the stage. On May 9, some 10,000 rioters return waving banners: “Working Men – Shall English or Americans Rule This City?” An armed battle ensues outside the theater that involves the New York police and State Militia and ends with 20-30 killed and hundreds wounded. Macready departs for safety in Britain. Ten rioters are arrested, tried, and all but one are found guilty and imprisoned.
Actor William Macready
