Ye for a Rogue! An Eye-conic Murder & Haunting in the Theatre

Not all drama remains on the stage, sometimes it spills backstage as well. As a modern audience, we are used to tabloids spilling goss about Harry Styles spitting on Chris Pine at the Don’t Worry, Darling premiere or the creation of Brangelina on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith. 

It’s the glasses inside for me…

It’s not a new phenomenon though. Not many people know that in my other life, I am a historian, specialising in criminal history. Imagine my surprise and joy when browsing The Old Bailey Sessions (documents from London’s Central Criminal Court) I found the case of Charles Macklin and Murder in London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It is a tale of farce, violence and…a wig.

London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

In 1735, the well-known actor Charles Macklin was charged with the murder of castmate Thomas Hallam in the Theatre Royal scene room. Several witnesses testify that Macklin thrust “a Stick into [Hallam’s] left Eye, and thereby giving him one Mortal Wound of the Breadth of a quarter of an Inch, and Depth of one Inch and a half…of which mortal Wound he languished till the next Day and then Died .”

Charles Macklin

The description of the incident and wound is recorded in grotesque detail. After stabbing Hallam, in either shock or remorse, Macklin throws the offending stick into the fire and goes to Hallam, who has collapsed on a chair holding his bloody “open skull”. Hallam yells he is cut, so Macklin checks by FEELING THE EYEBALL ROLL UNDER HIS HAND.

Macklin calls for a surgeon to attend to Hallam, however, Hallam later dies from his wound. The stick had “passed through the thin Bone that contains the Eye, into the Brain.” But the question remains, why oh why did Macklin attack Hallam in the first place?

Well, it starts and ends with a wig. Hallam used Macklin’s wig without asking and when confronted by Macklin, “high words” ensued. Words like

“M: Damn ye…for a Rogue. What Business have you with my Wig?
H: I am no more a Rogue than your Self
M: God Damn ye for a blackguard scrub Rascal, How durst you have the Impudence to take this Wig? You saucy impertinent Rascal
H: I am no more a Rascal than your self.
M: Damn ye you Dog, do ye prate?”

Then using his long stick (necessary for “his part as a Spanish Servant”) Macklin lunges at Hallam and thrusts it into his eye. 

What I love most about this case is that the court document plays out like a stage drama. Firstly, Macklin defends himself, asking questions like “Did I shew any Concern afterward?”. In a grand final act, Macklin delivers a monologue of his version of events, preserving his words for centuries to come. 

Secondly, one gets the sense the witnesses are continuing the theatre in the courtroom for their 15 minutes of fame. For example, a Mr Cole quivers “I was so near him, that I was afraid my own Eye would have been hurt; he reel'd, and I catched him in my Arms.” Each witness relishes recounting the swearing in detail and I can’t help but hear them boisterously recreating the fight for a captive courtroom audience. 

Macklin was found guilty of manslaughter and continued a long life and career until about 97 years old. If you visit Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, it is said he still roams backstage, haunting the site of the infamous murder.

You can read the original Old Bailey record here