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Archive: Portrait Feature | |
THE THEATRE
We are featuring three performers here, Mrs Robinson, Mr Macready and Miss Millet. In doing so we illustrate three types of portrait production, spanning 100 years.
Click on the illustrations to see them enlarged
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This portrait was produced at the end of the 18th Century by the engraver, J Ridley. Mrs Mary Robinson (1758 - 1800) was an English actress, known in her time as 'Perdita'. She played Shakespearian parts at Drury Lane from 1776 to 1780. She became the mistress of the future George IV. As well as acting, she wrote poems, plays and novels. |
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On the left we see Mr William Charles Macready (1793 - 1873), early in his career, in a portrait engraved by J. Thomson, published in 1821. On the right we see him as Shylock in the Merchant of Venice - from 1841 when he took over management of Drury Lane Theatre: "I acted Shylock very nervously, not to please myself. I watched the pantomime afterwards". |  |
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Moving on to the end of the 19th Century, this is a photographic portrait of Miss Maude Millet, aged about 22. She became famous as Eva Webster in The Private Secretary. A contemporary article compliments Miss Millet on her "charm of face" and "grace of movement" but goes on to say that "she has not yet learned to make the most of her resources"! There is more, "Her shortcomings are only fresh evidence of the disastrous lack of school and tradition which has done its worst to ruin the British stage." What became of her, we wonder? |
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Last Modified: 30 October 2000
