Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington

Friday 28 August 2009

September 18-20 is Lichfield's Heritage Weekend, though to mark Dr Johnson's Birthday it's going to be Georgian-themed this year.

There's a pdf of the leaflet available for download which promises such delights as a second-hand book fair at Wade Street Church, a display of Johnson's letters at Lichfield Library, a tour of Lichfield's Old Grammar School (now part of Lichfield District Council House and not usually open to the public) and the chance to get your silhouette cut by artist Steve Abbott.

Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington has tickets for Johnson's tercentenary supper on September 19th, and will be reporting on all the birthday action!

Photograph © Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington.

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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.

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