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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Mrs Siddons
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(Sarah Kemble, 1755–1831, m. William Siddons 1773)
The greatest tragic actress of her age and perhaps in the history of the English theatre. She was one of 12 children in a family of strolling players; her brother John Philip Kemble (1757–1823) became a much admired tragic actor, and their niece Fanny *Kemble (1809–93) also had a successful career. Mrs Siddons' first season in London was a failure (the winter of 1775–6, in *Garrick's company), but she then built up a faithful following round the country before returning to captivate Drury Lane in 1782.
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She avoided comedy, concentrating on the tragic roles in which she could transfix an audience with the intensity of her passion and grief. Lady Macbeth was considered her greatest part; when she chose it for her farewell performance, in 1812, the play was brought to an abrupt end after the character's final appearance in the sleepwalking scene.
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