The Young Pretender

by Muchael Arditti

'An engrossing, enthralling and utterly captivating read, The Young Pretender tells a simply remarkable story with bounce, energy, wit, and lively authenticity . . . Michael Arditti's brilliant imaginative achievement offers high comedy, dark tragedy and everything between' STEPHEN FRY

Mobbed by the masses, lionised by the aristocracy, courted by royalty and lusted after by patrons of both sexes, the child actor William Henry West Betty was one of the most famous people in Georgian Britain.

At the age of thirteen, he played leading roles, including Romeo , Macbeth and Richard III , in theatres across the country. Prime Minister William Pitt adjourned the House of Commons so that its members could attend his debut as Hamlet at Covent Garden. Then, as rivals turned on him and scandal engulfed him, he suffered a fall as merciless as his rise had been meteoric.

The Young Pretender takes place during Betty's attempted comeback at the age of twenty-one. As he seeks to relaunch his career, he is forced to confront the painful truths behind his boyhood triumphs. Michael Arditti's revelatory new novel puts this long forgotten figure back in the limelight. In addition to its rich and poignant portrait of Betty himself, it offers an engrossing insight into both the theatre and society of the age. The nature of celebrity, the power of publicity and the cult of youth are laid bare in a story that is more pertinent now than ever.

'Michael Arditti is a writer who takes risks. His material is always compelling and provocative, his techniques sophisticated and oblique' PATRICIA DUNCKER, Independent on Sunday

'Arditti is a master storyteller' PETER STANFORD, Observer

Genres: Historical Fiction

186 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2022

Reviews

[Soozee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a real person, this is the story of William Betty, an acclaimed child actor in Georgian England. At a very young age he was on the stage, acting parts designed for much older actors, and became the pet of society, adored by all the 'ton' and invited everywhere, meeting royalty and prime ministers.

We meet Betty when he is some years older, as his precocious acting career ended, his studies at university terminated early in order to be with his dying father, and he now intends to return to the stage. He looks through the many memoirs written of his original career, and coupled with his mother's memories, begins to reconstruct the experience as he tries to relaunch his career, but with little success as he is no longer a beautiful youth but a paunchy man.

We learn about the theatre at this time - the hushmen, the rowdy audience, throwing apple cores and orange peel onto the stage itself, the importance of 'being seen' rather than actually attending to the play. There are some wonderful moments.

Betty eventually discovers the darker side of his youth, how his father gambled and wasted his earnings, and possibly pandered him to disreputable men. What he remembered and what actually happened don't originally match, but he begins to piece it together and the theatre loses its shine for him.

An interesting, historical tale, obviously padded with fiction but very cleverly so, it gives an insight into celebrity, which is very poignant. Sometimes I struggled to work out whether he was talking in the present or his past. An enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and witty historical fiction based on a real characters. It was the first book i read by this author and I was fascinated by the excellent storytelling and the style of writing.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the characters are fleshed out.
It's an entertaining and brilliant story that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Lauren C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like something much older than it really is, which gives it an interesting antique feel. I do feel like this is a book which only people interested in history, theatre or are familiar with Master Betty would be into. I knew who he was, and am fascinated with ideas around fandom and the 18th century, so this was a read that matched my interests. It was a quick read, but not an overly simple one which I really enjoyed. It sort of transported you back in time, which I liked.

[Kathy King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched and presenting an enthralling look at theatre in Regency (and late Georgian) times, in London and the regions. Lots of detail and insights about actors, audiences, theatres, reputations, the "ton", social life (of the poor and "insane", as well as the wealthy) of this period. Sometimes hard to judge if the story was the now or the past. A rich read.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satisfactory read of a sort outside my usual experience.

[Graeme Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the historical dialogue etc used in this book. Very interesting story. Child actor exploited by various people including his father trying to make a comeback told in his own words.

[Amberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started and finished date - 28.01.25 to 29.01.25.
My rating - two Stars.
This book was okay read but bit boring and the cover of book was fine. Both the writing and the paced of plot was okay. The atmosphere was okay and the the ending of the book was fine. The characters was okay but I would have like them flash out bit more.