Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington: Happy New Year!

Wednesday 31 December 2008

Happy New Year!

Wishing you health, happiness and contented blogging in 2009.

Above: Lichfield market square. © Memoirs of the Celebrated Mrs Woffington.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...: Happy New Year to you, too.

If you look at my blog, you'll see I've tagged you, but don't feel obliged to do anything, I shan't be offended :)

Beautiful picture of beautiful Lichfield, by the way.

Have a good one, remember not to over-exert yourself by dancing too many quadrilles, and make sure you drink only ratafia...; 31 December 2008 at 14:47
Lauren said...: Have a wonderful New Year!!
-Lauren; 2 January 2009 at 03:35
Mrs Woffington said...: Thanks so much both - just got back from a nice break (not many quadrilles but some interesting Georgian stuff along the way. I'll put some pix up shortly! Hope you both had a fab time! Thanks Laura for tagging me - I'm honoured, madam. xx; 2 January 2009 at 17:49

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.