Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington: Displacement Activity #256

Monday, 12 October 2009

Displacement Activity #256

Lichfield really is very beautiful in Autumn, and so I went for a walk today and took pictures of Minster Pool instead of getting on with the pressing business of finishing my novel. To be honest it was a welcome distraction from writing about the failed invasion of Britain by the French in 1744.

Another pleasant distraction was this invitation (below) which I received last week from our friend Dr Erasmus Darwin. It seems I am to attend a Christmas supper at his house in December where he will be serving Yorkshire Christmas pye, plum porrige, tansy pudding, potted cheese and sack possets. I can't wait...

Photograph © Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington.

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3 comments:

Mark Leonard said...: Sounds delightful. I wish I could attend. Not sure what is meant by 21st Century evening dress though.; 12 October 2009 at 22:36
Heather Carroll said...: You have such a knack for taking photos, I always appreciate when you have them on the site!; 12 October 2009 at 23:33
Mrs Woffington said...: Hi weakspeaker, I don't know why they won't just let us go in 18th-century costume to be honest. I think I could handle a stomacher.

And thanks Heather, I love taking photos and am planning on buying a better camera soon (and I'll be snapping away like crazy at the Georgian supper!); 13 October 2009 at 09:52

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.