Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington: Georgian Lolcats

Monday, 12 January 2009

Georgian Lolcats

To brighten up your Monday, I bring you Georgian Lolcats. Enjoy!

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Breathtaking. Mrs Woffington, you surpass yourself.; 12 January 2009 at 10:41
Mrs Woffington said...: I thank you - it's a shame I didn't have time to do 'I can has syllabub?' though.; 12 January 2009 at 10:43
Anonymous said...: Brilliant :); 12 January 2009 at 20:02
Mrs Woffington said...: Thanks Laura :D; 12 January 2009 at 20:18
Anonymous said...: OMG! I love lolcats! I love the 18th century!!! This is the perfect blend! XD; 19 February 2009 at 18:38
Mrs Woffington said...: Hey there fuchsias18thcdress - you're not alone! Lolcats and the 18th century together are dynamite! So glad you enjoyed them; could this be the start of a new genre: Lol-quadrupeds? :); 19 February 2009 at 21:10

Who was Mrs Woffington?

Virtually forgotten today, Margaret Woffington (also known as Peg or Peggy) would rise from humble origins to become one of Georgian London’s most famous actresses, sharing the stage with the likes of David Garrick and excelling in so-called ‘breeches roles’. Born around the year 1720 in Dublin, her childhood years were marred by the death of her father, which plunged her family into poverty. Having reputedly sold watercress barefoot in the streets of the Irish capital, she was soon talent-spotted by a tumbler known as Violante, who staged populist entertainments in booths around the city. Violante had a troupe of child actors called the Liliputians, and before long Woffington was making her debut as Polly Peachum in their version of The Beggar’s Opera. Moving to London, she gained plaudits for both her outstanding beauty and her talent – particularly in comedy – appearing at both Covent Garden and Drury Lane. Known for her quick wit and no-nonsense attitude, she had high-profile affairs with Garrick, Lord Darnley and Charles Hanbury Williams; she was also a generous benefactor, supporting her elderly mother and may even have endowed some almshouses in Teddington, where she had settled at the height of her success. She died, unmarried, in 1760, having suffered a long wasting illness, and is buried in Teddington's parish church of St Mary’s.