William Charles Macready, a nineteenth...
Illustration
William Charles Macready, a nineteenth-century British actor, was famous for his roles in Shakespearean tragedies. He was also known for enraging other members of the casts with whom he worked. On one occasion, he arranged to have Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, die near one of the wings so that his own "death" as Hamlet could be enacted dramatically at center stage. The actor playing Claudius would have none of it. When he staggered out, mortally wounded, he died at center stage. Macready whispered angrily, "Die further upstage!" It was followed by the urgent command, "Get up and die somewhere else." The supposedly dead Claudius sat up and said, loud enough for the audience to hear, "Look here, Mr. Macready, you've had your way at rehearsals, but I'm king now, and I shall die just where I please."
