Anne Oldfield
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Anne Oldfield (168323 October 1730) was an
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...
actress and one of the highest paid actresses of her time.


Early life and discovery

She was born in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
in 1683. Her father was a soldier, James Oldfield. Her mother was either Anne or Elizabeth Blanchard. Her grandfather owned a tavern and left her father several properties, he however mortgaged these which resulted in Anne and her mother being placed in financial difficulty when he died young. It appears that Oldfield received some education because her biographers state that she read widely in her youth. Oldfield and her mother went to live with her aunt, Mrs Voss, in the Mitre tavern, St James. In 1699, she attracted
George Farquhar George Farquhar (1677The explanation for the dual birth year appears in Louis A. Strauss, ed., A Discourse Upon Comedy, The Recruiting Officer, and The Beaux' Stratagem by George Farquhar' (Boston: D.C. Heath & Co., 1914), p. v. Strauss notes t ...
's attention when he overheard her reciting lines from
Francis Beaumont Francis Beaumont ( ; 1584 – 6 March 1616) was a dramatist in the English Renaissance theatre, most famous for his collaborations with John Fletcher. Beaumont's life Beaumont was the son of Sir Francis Beaumont of Grace Dieu, near Thri ...
and John Fletcher's play ''
The Scornful Lady ''The Scornful Lady'' is a Jacobean era stage play, a comedy written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, and first published in 1616, the year of Beaumont's death. It was one of the pair's most popular, often revived, and frequently reprint ...
'' (1616) in a back room of her tavern. Soon after, she was hired by Christopher Rich to join the cast of the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, commonly known as Drury Lane, is a West End theatre and listed building, Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, London, England. The building faces Catherine Street (earlier named Bridges or Brydges Street) an ...
.


Career

A year later she was cast in her first small role as Candiope in
John Dryden John Dryden (; – ) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration (En ...
's ''Secret Love; or, The Maiden Queen'' (1699). After her success in a minor role, she was given the lead in John Fletcher's ''The Pilgrim'' (1647). In the summer of 1703, Oldfield replaced
Susanna Verbruggen Susanna Verbruggen (née Percival) (–1703), aka Susanna Mountfort, was an English actress working in London. Life She was the daughter of Thomas Percival, a member of the Duke's Company for more than a decade. Her first recorded stage appear ...
when her contract was terminated before the company travelled to
Bath Bath may refer to: * Bathing, immersion in a fluid ** Bathtub, a large open container for water, in which a person may wash their body ** Public bathing, a public place where people bathe * Thermae, ancient Roman public bathing facilities Plac ...
to perform for Queen Anne and her court. Oldfield became one of Drury Lane's leading actresses.
Colley Cibber Colley Cibber (6 November 1671 – 11 December 1757) was an English actor-manager, playwright and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate. His colourful memoir ''An Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber'' (1740) describes his life in ...
acknowledged that she had as much as he to do with the success of his ''
The Careless Husband ''The Carless Husband'' is a comedy play by the English writer Colley Cibber. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 7 December 1704. The original cast featured Cibber as Lord Foppington, George Powell as Lord Morelove, Robert Wilks as ...
'' (1704), in which she created the part of Lady Modish. Speaking of her portrayal of Lady Townly in his ''
The Provoked Husband ''The Provoked Husband'' is a 1728 comedy play by the British writer and actor Colley Cibber, based on a fragment of play written by John Vanbrugh. It is also known by the longer title ''The Provok'd Husband: or, a Journey to London''. Vanbrugh ...
'' (1728), Cibber was to say, "that here she outdid her usual Outdoing". She also played the title role in
Ben Jonson Benjamin Jonson ( 11 June 1572 – ) was an English playwright, poet and actor. Jonson's artistry exerted a lasting influence on English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours; he is best known for the satire, satirical ...
's '' Epicoene'', and Celia in his ''
Volpone ''Volpone'' (, Italian for "sly fox") is a comedy play by English playwright Ben Jonson first produced in 1605–1606, drawing on elements of city comedy and beast fable. A merciless satire of greed and lust, it remains Jonson's most-perfo ...
''. Contemporary gossip is recorded that there were rivalries between Oldfield,
Anne Bracegirdle Anne Bracegirdle (possibly 167112 September 1748) was an English actress and soprano. Most of the plays she performed in involved singing as well as acting. She often performed music written for her by the composer John Eccles, and also sung mu ...
, Jane Rogers and
Susannah Centlivre Susanna Centlivre (c. 1669 (baptised) – 1 December 1723), born Susanna Freeman, and also known professionally as Susanna Carroll, was an English poet, actress, and "the most successful female playwright of the eighteenth century". Centlivre's ...
, all of whom were supposedly vying for the best roles. In 1706 Oldfield came into conflict with the Drury Lane's management over benefits and salary she believed she had been promised, but which the theatre refused to pay. Oldfield left and joined the competing acting company at
Haymarket Theatre The Theatre Royal Haymarket (also known as Haymarket Theatre or the Little Theatre) is a West End theatre in Haymarket, London, Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in ...
before returning to Drury Lane shortly after with a fresh contract and a new position as joint-sharer of the Drury Lane Theatre. On a separate occasion, Oldfield was offered to become manager of the Theatre, "but her sex was thought to be an objection to that measure" thus being asked to name her own terms to stay in her old position, Oldfield received 200 guineas salary, which was ultimately raised to 500 guineas resulting in Oldfield becoming the highest paid actress of her time.


Personal life

Oldfield began a decade-long relationship with Whig politician
Arthur Maynwaring Arthur Maynwaring or Mainwaring (9 July 1668 – 13 November 1712), of Ightfield, Shropshire, was an English official and Whig politician who sat in the English and British House of Commons from 1706 to 1712. He was also a journalist and a po ...
around 1700. Owing to her success, Oldfield remained financially independent from Maynwaring. He supported her career by helping her work through new roles and by writing more than a dozen prologues and epilogues for her to perform.Nicola Parsons, "Mrs. Oldfield," Mary Hays, ''Female Biography; or, Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women, of All Ages and Countries'' (1803). ''Chawton House Library Series: Women’s Memoirs'', ed. Gina Luria Walker, ''Memoirs of Women Writers Part III.'' Pickering & Chatto: London, 2013, vol. 10, vol. 10, 30–3, editorial notes, 548-51, on 550. When she became pregnant with their son, Arthur. Oldfield kept acting until she was physically unable, which was unusual for the time. She went back to work just three months after the birth. Oldfield arranged for her lifelong friend,
Margaret Saunders Margaret Saunders or Mrs Saunders (born 1686 - 1745) was a British actress. Life Saunders was born in Weymouth where her father Jonathon Saunders made wine barrels. Her mother's family were called Wallis and her maternal grandfather was a nav ...
, to join the acting profession. When Maynwaring died in 1712, rumours circulated that he had died from a venereal disease that Oldfield had given to him. In order to clear both their names, she ordered an official autopsy to be performed on his body, which revealed that he had died of tuberculosis. Oldfield was three months pregnant at the time, but her child is not believed to have survived the birth. Several years after Maynwaring's death, Oldfield began a relationship with Charles Churchill. The two lived together for many years and had a son,
Charles Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English language, English and French language, French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic, Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''* ...
. However, during this pregnancy, Oldfield was unable to continue acting due to her health, and was forced to leave the theatre for several months. She never fully recovered her health. Throughout her last theatrical season she suffered from chronic pain in her abdomen. She retired from the stage in April 1730 and died from cancer of the uterus a few months later. Oldfield died on 23 October 1730 at age 47, at 60
Grosvenor Street Grosvenor Street is a street in the central business district of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. Grosvenor Street runs in an east to west direction, with traffic flowing in both directions. The eastern terminus is at George Street and ...
, London. She divided her property between her two sons. Oldfield was buried in
Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British m ...
, beneath the monument to Congreve. Her partner, Churchill, applied for permission to erect a monument there to her memory, but the dean of Westminster refused it.


Memorial

Alexander Pope Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 Old Style and New Style dates, O.S. – 30 May 1744) was an English poet, translator, and satirist of the Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment era who is considered one of the most prominent English poets of the early ...
, in his ''Sober Advice from Horace'', wrote of her "Engaging Oldfield, who, with grace and ease, Could join the arts to ruin and to please." Oldfield had said to her maid "No, let a charming chintz and Brussels lace Wrap my cold limbs and shade my lifeless face; One would not, sure, be frightful when one's dead, And Betty give this cheek a little red."


Significant roles

* 1699, ''Candiope'' – '' The Maiden Queen'' by
John Dryden John Dryden (; – ) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration (En ...
. * 1700, ''Alinda'' - '' The Pilgrim'' by John Fletcher. * 1701, ''Anne'' – ''
The Unhappy Penitent ''The Unhappy Penitent'' is a 1701 tragedy by the English writer Catherine Trotter.Nicoll p.361 It is set at the French court of the late fifteenth century where Charles VIII plans to break his marriage agreement with Margaret of Austria so th ...
'' by Catharine Trotter * 1701, ''Cimene'' – '' The Generous Conqueror'' by Bevil Higgons * 1701, ''Helen'' – ''
The Virgin Prophetess ''The Virgin Prophetess, or The Fate of Troy'' is a 1701 tragedy by Elkanah Settle featuring music by Gottfried Finger. It is a semi-opera with masque-like elements breaking up the scenes. The original cast included John Mills as Menelaus, Phil ...
'' by
Elkanah Settle Elkanah Settle (1 February 1648 – 12 February 1724) was an English poet and playwright. Biography He was born at Dunstable, and entered Trinity College, Oxford, in 1666, but left without taking a degree. His first tragedy, '' Cambyses, King ...
* 1702, ''Camilla'' – ''
The Modish Husband ''The Modish Husband'' is a 1702 comedy play by the English writer William Burnaby. It is in the Restoration-style comedy of manners.Nicoll p.153 Staged at the Drury Lane Theatre in London, the cast included Robert Wilks as Lionel, Colley Cibb ...
'' by William Burnaby * 1702, ''Jacinta'' – ''
The False Friend ''The False Friend'' is a 1917 American silent film, silent drama film directed by Harry Davenport (actor), Harry Davenport and starring Robert Warwick, Gail Kane and Jack Drumier. Cast * Robert Warwick as William Ramsdell * Gail Kane as Virgi ...
'' by
John Vanbrugh Sir John Vanbrugh (; 24 January 1664 (baptised) – 26 March 1726) was an English architect, dramatist and herald, perhaps best known as the designer of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. He wrote two argumentative and outspoken Restor ...
* 1703, ''Lucia'' – ''
The Fair Example ''The Fair Example, or the Modish Citizen'' is a 1703 comedy play by the English writer Richard Estcourt, originally staged at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Drury Lane Theatre. It was part of a growing trend of plays to feature a plot of an hone ...
'' by
Richard Estcourt Richard Estcourt (1668–1712) was an English actor, who began by playing comedy parts in Dublin. His first London appearance was in 1704 as Dominick, in John Dryden, Dryden's ''Spanish Friar'', and he continued to take important parts at Drury ...
* 1703, ''Victoria'' – ''
The Lying Lover ''The Lying Lover; Or, The Lady's Friendship'' is a 1703 comedy play by the Irish writer Richard Steele. It was his second play, written while he was an army office doing garrison duty in Harwich during the War of the Spanish Succession. It is d ...
'' by
Richard Steele Sir Richard Steele ( – 1 September 1729) was an Anglo-Irish writer, playwright and politician best known as the co-founder of the magazine ''The Spectator (1711), The Spectator'' alongside his close friend Joseph Addison. Early life Steel ...
* 1703, ''Belliza'' – '' Love's Contrivance '' by
Susanna Centlivre Susanna Centlivre (c. 1669 (baptised) – 1 December 1723), born Susanna Freeman, and also known professionally as Susanna Carroll, was an English poet, actress, and "the most successful female playwright of the eighteenth century". Centlivre's ...
* 1703, ''Lucia'' – '' The Old Mode and the New'' by Thomas d'Urfey * 1704, ''Lady Modish'' – ''
The Careless Husband ''The Carless Husband'' is a comedy play by the English writer Colley Cibber. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 7 December 1704. The original cast featured Cibber as Lord Foppington, George Powell as Lord Morelove, Robert Wilks as ...
'' by
Colley Cibber Colley Cibber (6 November 1671 – 11 December 1757) was an English actor-manager, playwright and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate. His colourful memoir ''An Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber'' (1740) describes his life in ...
. * 1705, ''Arabella'' – ''
Hampstead Heath Hampstead Heath is an ancient heath in London, spanning . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London Clay. The heath is rambling ...
'' by Thomas Baker * 1706, ''Silvia'' – ''
The Recruiting Officer ''The Recruiting Officer'' is a 1706 play by the Irish writer George Farquhar, which follows the social and sexual exploits of two English Army officers, the womanising Plume and the cowardly Brazen, in the town of Shrewsbury (the town where ...
'' by
George Farquhar George Farquhar (1677The explanation for the dual birth year appears in Louis A. Strauss, ed., A Discourse Upon Comedy, The Recruiting Officer, and The Beaux' Stratagem by George Farquhar' (Boston: D.C. Heath & Co., 1914), p. v. Strauss notes t ...
* 1706, ''Celia'' – ''
Volpone ''Volpone'' (, Italian for "sly fox") is a comedy play by English playwright Ben Jonson first produced in 1605–1606, drawing on elements of city comedy and beast fable. A merciless satire of greed and lust, it remains Jonson's most-perfo ...
'' by
Ben Jonson Benjamin Jonson ( 11 June 1572 – ) was an English playwright, poet and actor. Jonson's artistry exerted a lasting influence on English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours; he is best known for the satire, satirical ...
.Chishol, Hugh, ed. (1911) "Oldfield, Anne". ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 20 (11th ed). Cambridge University Press. p.73. * 1706, ''Isabella'' – '' The Platonick Lady'' by Susanna Centlivre * 1707, ''Lady Dainty'' – ''
The Double Gallant ''The Double Gallant, or the Sick Lady's Cure'' is a 1707 comedy play by the British writer Colley Cibber. It was originally performed on 1 November 1707 at the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket with a cast that included Benjamin Johnson as Si ...
'' by Colley Cibber * 1707, ''Ethelinda'' – ''
The Royal Convert ''The Royal Convert'' is a 1707 tragedy by the British writer Nicholas Rowe. The play is set in England during the Saxon era featuring two brothers in a love triangle with a young Christian woman. It was staged at the Queen's Theatre in the ...
'' by Nicholas Rowe * 1707, ''A Silent Woman'' – '' Epiocene'' by Ben Jonson. * 1707, ''Florimel -'' '' Marriage A La Mode'' by John Dryden. *1708, ''Lady Rodomont'' – '' The Fine Lady's Airs'' by Thomas Baker * 1708, ''Semandra'' – '' Mithridates, King of Pontus'' by
Nathaniel Lee Nathaniel Lee (c. 1653 – 6 May 1692) was an English dramatist. He was the son of Dr Richard Lee, a Presbyterian clergyman who was rector of Hatfield and held many preferments under the Commonwealth; Dr Lee was chaplain to George Monck, afterw ...
*1709, ''Rutland'' – '' The Unhappy Favourite'' by John Banks. *1709, ''Leonara'' – ''
Sir Courtly Nice ''Sir Courtly Nice: Or, It Cannot Be'' is a 1685 comedy play by the English writer John Crowne. Rehearsals by the United Company were underway when the death of Charles II in February led to the closure of all theatres as a mark of respect. The ...
'' by
John Crowne John Crowne (6 April 1641 – 1712) was a British dramatist. His father "Colonel" William Crowne, accompanied the earl of Arundel on a diplomatic mission to Vienna in 1637, and wrote an account of his journey. He emigrated to Nova Scotia where ...
. *1709, ''Carolina'' -''
Epsom Wells ''Epsom Wells'' is a 1672 restoration comedy by the English writer Thomas Shadwell. It was the first in a line of plays set in spa towns. The incidental music was composed by Nicholas Staggins. In the 1690s Henry Purcell scored a new staging of t ...
'' by
Thomas Shadwell Thomas Shadwell ( – 19 November 1692) was an English poet and playwright who was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate in 1689. Life Shadwell was born at either Bromehill Farm, Weeting-with-Broomhill or Santon House, Ly ...
. *1709, ''Elvira'' – ''The Spanish Fryer, or The Double Discovery'' by unknown. *1709, ''Narcissa'' – ''
Love's Last Shift ''Love's Last Shift, or The Fool in Fashion'' is an English Restoration comedy by Colley Cibber from 1696. The play is regarded as an early herald of a shift in audience tastes away from the intellectualism and sexual frankness of Restoratio ...
'' by Colley Cibber. *1709, ''Luncinda'' – '' The Rival Fools'' by Colley Cibber *1709, ''Maria'' – ''The Fortune Hunters, or Two Fools Well Met'' by James Carlile. *1709, ''Lady Lurewell'' – ''
The Constant Couple ''The Constant Couple'' is a 1699 play by the Irish writer George Farquhar. It is part of the Restoration comedy tradition, and is often described as a sentimental comedy. It marked the first major success of Farquhar's career. A series of comi ...
'', or A Trip to the Jubilee by George Farquhar. *1709, ''Hellena'' – '' The Rover'', or The Banish'd Cavilier by
Aphra Behn Aphra Behn (; baptism, bapt. 14 December 1640 – 16 April 1689) was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration (England), Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writ ...
. *1709, ''Estifania'' – ''
Rule A Wife and Have A Wife ''Rule a Wife and Have a Wife'' is a late Jacobean stage comedy written by John Fletcher. It was first performed in 1624 and first published in 1640. It is a comedy with intrigue that tells the story of two couples that get married with false ...
'' by John Fletcher. *1709, ''Mrs Sullen'' -''
The Beaux' Stratagem ''The Beaux' Stratagem'' is a comedy by George Farquhar, first produced at the Theatre Royal, now the site of Her Majesty's Theatre, in the Haymarket, London, on 8 March 1707. In the play, Archer and Aimwell, two young gentlemen who have falle ...
'' by George Farquhar. *1709, ''Widow''- '' Wit Without Money'' by John Fletcher. *1709, ''Wanton Wife'' – ''The Wanton Wife'' by
Thomas Betterton Thomas Betterton (August 1635 – 28 April 1710) was the leading male actor and theatre manager during Restoration England. He was the son of an under-cook to King Charles I and was born in London. Apprentice and actor Betterton was born in ...
. *1709, ''Constantina''- ''
The Chances ''The Chances'' is a Jacobean era stage play, a comedy written by John Fletcher. It was one of Fletcher's great popular successes, "frequently performed and reprinted in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries." The play's Prologue assigns the ...
'' by John Fletcher. *1709, ''Belinda'' – '' The Man's Bewitched'' by Susanna Centlivre. *1711, ''Arabella'' – ''
The Wife's Relief ''The Wife's Relief, or, The Husband's Cure'' is a 1711 comedy play by the British writer Charles Johnson. The plot revolves around a virtuous wife who tries to mend her husband's rakish ways.Gollapudi p.77 The cast included Robert Wilks as Vo ...
'' by Charles Johnson *1712, ''Andromache'' – ''Distrest Mother'' by
Ambrose Philips Ambrose Philips (167418 June 1749) was an England, English poet and politician. He feuded with other poets of his time, resulting in Henry Carey (writer), Henry Carey bestowing the nickname "Namby-Pamby" upon him, which came to mean affected, wea ...
. *1713, ''Marcia -'' '' Cato'' by
Joseph Addison Joseph Addison (1 May 1672 – 17 May 1719) was an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician. He was the eldest son of Lancelot Addison. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend Richard Steele, with w ...
. *1714, ''Eriphile'' – '' The Victim'' by Charles Johnson *1714, Jane Shore'' – ''
Jane Shore Elizabeth "Jane" Shore (née Lambert; 1445 – c. 1527) was one of the many mistresses of King Edward IV of England. She became the best known in history by being later accused of conspiracy by the future King Richard III and compelled to do p ...
'' by Nicholas Rowe *1715, ''Lady Jane Grey'' – ''
Lady Jane Grey Lady Jane Grey (1536/1537 – 12 February 1554), also known as Lady Jane Dudley after her marriage, and nicknamed as the "Nine Days Queen", was an English noblewoman who was proclaimed Queen of England and Ireland on 10 July 1553 and reigned ...
'' by Nicholas Rowe *1716, ''Lady Trueman'' – '' The Drummer'' by Joseph Addison * 1716, ''Leonora'' – '' The Cruel Gift'' by Susanna Centlivre *1717, ''Atalida'' – '' The Sultaness'' by Charles Johnson *1717, ''Maria'' – ''
The Non-Juror ''The Non-Juror'' is a 1717 comedy play by the British writer Colley Cibber. It is inspired by Molière's 1664 work ''Tartuffe''. The original Drury Lane Theatre cast featured John Mills as Sir John Woodvil, Barton Booth as Colonel Woodvil, Rob ...
'' by Colley Cibber *1717, ''Rosalinda'' – ''
Lucius Lucius is a masculine given name derived from Lucius (Latin ; ), abbreviated L., one of the small group of common Latin forenames () found in the culture of ancient Rome. Lucius probably derives from Latin word ( gen. ), meaning "light" (<
'' by
Delarivier Manley Delarivier "Delia" Manley (1663 or – 24 July 1724) was an English author, playwright, and political pamphleteer. Manley is sometimes referred to, with Aphra Behn and Eliza Haywood, as one of " the fair triumvirate of wit", which is a later at ...
*1717, ''Mrs Townley'' – '' Three Hours After Marriage'' by
John Gay John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for ''The Beggar's Opera'' (1728), a ballad opera. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peach ...
*1719, ''Celona'' – '' The Spartan Dame'' by
Thomas Southerne Thomas Southerne (12 February 166026 May 1746) was an Irish dramatist. Biography Thomas Southerne, born on 12 February 1660, in Oxmantown, near Dublin, was an Irish dramatist. He was the son of Francis Southerne (a Dublin brewer) and Margare ...
*1719, ''Sophronia'' – '' The Masquerade'' by Charles Johnson *1719, ''Mandane'' – ''
Busiris, King of Egypt ''Busiris, King of Egypt'' is a 1719 tragedy by the British writer Edward Young. It is set in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Busiris. It was considered a success, enjoying a good run and was subsequently published by Jacob Tonson. The work was ...
'' by
Edward Young Edward Young ( – 5 April 1765) was an English poet, best remembered for ''Night-Thoughts'', a series of philosophical writings in blank verse, reflecting his state of mind following several bereavements. It was one of the most popular poem ...
* 1721, ''Sophronia'' – ''
The Refusal "The Refusal" (German: "Die Abweisung"), also known as "Unser Städtchen liegt …", is a short story by Franz Kafka. Written in the autumn of 1920, it was not published in Kafka's lifetime. Overview The story of "Die Abweisung" involves the nar ...
'' by Colley Cibber *1722, ''Mrs Watchit'' – ''
The Artifice ''The Artifice'' is an independent long-form online magazine that focuses on visual arts and other "unique topics." The website is collaboratively built and maintained by writers, with all articles peer-reviewed by other writers, with discuss ...
'' by Susanna Centlivre *1722, ''Indiana'' – ''
The Conscious Lovers ''The Conscious Lovers'' is a sentimental comedy written in five acts by the Irish author Richard Steele. ''The Conscious Lovers'' appeared on stage on 7 November 1722, at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and was an immediate success, with an initi ...
'' by
Richard Steele Sir Richard Steele ( – 1 September 1729) was an Anglo-Irish writer, playwright and politician best known as the co-founder of the magazine ''The Spectator (1711), The Spectator'' alongside his close friend Joseph Addison. Early life Steel ...
* 1723, ''Margaret'' – ''
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester Humphrey of Lancaster, Duke of Gloucester (3 October 1390 – 23 February 1447) was an English prince, soldier and literary patron. He was (as he styled himself) "son, brother and uncle of kings", being the fourth and youngest son of Henry IV ...
'' by Ambrose Philips *1724, ''Cylene'' – '' The Captives'' by John Gay *1724, ''Cleopatra'' – ''
Caesar in Egypt ''Caesar in Egypt'' is a 1724 tragedy by the British writer Colley Cibber. It is inspired by Pierre Corneille's 1642 French play '' The Death of Pompey'' about Julius Caesar's intervention in the Egyptian Civil War between Cleopatra and her broth ...
'' by Colley Cibber * 1727, ''Amoret'' – '' The Rival Modes'' by
James Moore Smythe James Moore Smythe (; 1702 – 18 October 1734) was an English dramatist, playwright and fop. Biography Smythe was appointed by the King to the Office of, Co-Paymaster of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms. He was born James Moore. He ...
* 1728, ''Lady Townly'' – ''
The Provoked Husband ''The Provoked Husband'' is a 1728 comedy play by the British writer and actor Colley Cibber, based on a fragment of play written by John Vanbrugh. It is also known by the longer title ''The Provok'd Husband: or, a Journey to London''. Vanbrugh ...
'' by Colley Cibber] * 1728, ''Lady Matchless'' – '' Love in Several Masques'' by
Henry Fielding Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English writer and magistrate known for the use of humour and satire in his works. His 1749 comic novel ''The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling'' was a seminal work in the genre. Along wi ...
* 1730, ''Clarinda'' – ''
The Humours of Oxford ''The Humours of Oxford'' is a 1730 comedy play by the British writer James Miller. It was Miller's debut play, inspired by his time at Wadham College, and proved popular. The plot is set around Oxford University and portrays the academics as ov ...
'' by James Miller * 1730, ''Sophonisba'' in ''
Sophonisba Sophonisba (in Punic language, Punic, 𐤑𐤐𐤍𐤁𐤏𐤋 Ṣap̄anbaʿal) (fl. 206 - 203 BC) was a Carthage, Carthaginian noblewoman who lived during the Second Punic War, and the daughter of Hasdrubal Gisco. She held influence over the N ...
'' by James Thomson


References

*


Notes


Further reading

*Anonymous. ''Authentick Memoirs of the Life of that Celebrated Actress, Mrs. Ann Oldfield, Containing a Genuine Account of Her Transactions from Her Infancy to the Time of Her Decease,'' 4th edition. London: no publisher, 1730. *Egerton, William. ''Faithful Memoirs of the Life, Amours and Performances of that justly Celebrated, and most Eminent Actress of her Time, Mrs. Anne Oldfield. Interspersed with Several Other Dramatic Memoirs''. London: no publisher, 1731. *Engel, Laura and Elaine M. McGirr, eds. ''Stage Mothers: Women, Work, and the Theater, 1660–1830''. Lenham, Maryland: Bucknell University Press, 2014. *Gore-Browne, Robert. ''Gay was the Pit: the Life and Times of Anne Oldfield, Actress (1683–1730).'' London: Max Reinhardt, 1957. *Hays, Mary. "Mrs. Oldfield". ''Female Biography; or Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women of all Ages and Countries'' (6 volumes). London: R. Phillips, 1803, vol. 6, 28–31. *Lafler, Joanne. ''The Celebrated Mrs. Oldfield: the Life and Art of an Augustan Actress''. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1989. *Melville, Lewis. ''Stage Favourites of the Eighteenth Century.'' Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday Doran & Company, Inc., 1929. *McGirr, Elaine. ''Eighteenth Century Characters : a Guide to the Literature of The Age.'' Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. *Nussbaum, Felicity. ''Rival Queens: Actresses, Performance, and the Eighteenth-Century British Theater.'' Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2010. *Parsons, Nicola. "Mrs. Oldfield." Mary Hays, ''Female Biography; or, Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women, of All Ages and Countries'' (1803). ''Chawton House Library Series: Women’s Memoirs'', ed. Gina Luria Walker, ''Memoirs of Women Writers Part III. P''ickering & Chatto: London, 2013, vol. 10, 30–3, editorial notes, 548–51.
Project Continua
– at ProjectContinua.org *Ritchie, Fiona. ''Women and Shakespeare in the Eighteenth Century''. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2014. {{DEFAULTSORT:Oldfield, Anne 1683 births 1730 deaths English stage actresses 18th-century English actresses English tailors Actresses from London Burials at Westminster Abbey Deaths from uterine cancer in the United Kingdom Deaths from cancer in England