Rich, John, 1682?-1761.

Already an actor and manager, John Rich inherited a share of the Lincoln's Inn Theatre from his father in 1714, and used it to stage lavish productions designed to overwhelm the senses. His success with John Gay's A Beggar's Opera allowed him to open the new theatre at Covent Garden in 1732. Rich introduced pantomime to English stage, playing the part of Harlequin himself, under the name of Lun; the innovation allowed him to compete with the established theatre at Drury Lane. A successful and important impresario in his day, he is remembered for spectacular productions and confrontations with actors and rival theatres.