Partner Property
Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare: Find out more about Garrick’s Temple, or visit their website.
About the talk
David Garrick was regarded as the most iconic actor of the 18th century, and possibly the finest influence upon the English Theatre. In 1754, he purchased Hampton House (now Garrick’s Villa) which overlooks the river Thames. In the gardens he oversaw the design of a Temple built in the Classical style popularised by the Italian architect Palladio with an Ionic portico. This he dedicated to his muse Shakespeare, being the one playwright whose works he had performed with the greatest acclaim.
Garrick used the Temple to house his extensive collection of books and Shakespearean relics. For him it was a place of peaceful solitude where he could write and entertain his many friends. It is also a complete replica of the temple standing in the grounds of Chiswick House, which Garrick would have seen often during his courtship with Eva Maria Veigel. Chiswick House was the home of Lord and Lady Burlington, who were guardians to Eva Maria, and was where the Garricks spent their wedding night. The main subject of this talk is Garrick’s life at Hampton and the fruitfulness of his marriage and his relationships with many of those close to him, be it the formidable Dr Johnson or the unpredictable Horace Walpole.
About the speaker
Clive Francis is a successful caricaturist, playwright, and actor, having performed with both the RSC and the National Theatre and with over twenty performances in the West End. His most recent film appearances have been The Crown, Official Secrets and The Lost City of Z. He became involved with Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare, of which he is now founder member of its restoration, back in 1998, when he helped raise the initial funding for its restoration. He also obtained, thanks to the British Library, a replica of the statue to Shakespeare by Louis François Roubiliac.