Elizabeth Farren

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Elizabeth Farren (circa 1759 – 23 April 1829) was a renowned English actress of the late 18th century. Born Elizabeth (occasionally Eliza) Farren, she was the daughter of George Farren of Cork, Ireland, a skilled surgeon and apothecary who later became an actor, and his wife (née Wright), a Liverpool native from a family of publicans or brewers. At a remarkably young age, Farren began performing at Bath and other locations in juvenile roles. In 1774, she took the stage with her mother and sisters under Tate Wilkinson's rival, Whiteley, where she played Columbine and sang. By the time she was fifteen, Farren had already made a name for herself as Rosetta in Love in a Village and her signature role of Lady Townly in The Provoked Husband by Colley Cibber. Her first London appearance was in 1777, when she portrayed Miss Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer. Her subsequent successes solidified her reputation as one of the leading actresses of her time. Shakespearean roles such as Hermione, Portia, Olivia, and Juliet were part of her repertoire, but comedy parts like Lady Betty Modish, Lady Townly, Lady Fanciful, and Lady Teazle remained her favorites. In 1777, Younger, her Liverpool manager, introduced Farren to George Colman. She made her first London appearance at the Haymarket on June 9th of that year, playing Miss Hardcastle. Her performance was met with favorable reviews, and she soon became a staple at the theatre, taking on roles such as Maria in Murphy's Citizen, Rosetta, and Miss Tittup in Garrick's Bon Ton. She also spoke the epilogue to the Spanish Barber, or the Useless Precaution, Colman's adaptation of Beaumarchais' The Barber of Seville. On July 11th, 1778, Farren took on her first "breeches" part as Nancy Lovel in Colman's Suicide. However, due to her figure being unsuited for the role, she was subject to satire and ridicule. She regained public favor with performances as Lady Townly and Lady Fanciful in The Provoked Wife. In September 1778, Farren made her first appearance at Drury Lane, playing Charlotte Rusport in The West Indian. She primarily performed at this theatre or the Haymarket for the remainder of her stage career, with occasional appearances in the provinces and at Covent Garden. Her repertoire included over 100 characters, including Berinthia in Sheridan's Trip to Scarborough, Belinda in Murphy's All in the Wrong, Angelica in Love for Love, Elvira in Spanish Friar, Hermione in The Winter's Tale, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Portia, Lydia Languish, Millamant in The Way of the World, Statira, Juliet, and Lady Betty Modish. Farren created few original parts during her career. These included Lady Sackville in An Evening's Amusement, a role that showcased her exceptional comedic timing and talent. She also took on more serious roles, such as Emily in Richard III, demonstrating her versatility as an actress. Farren reportedly had a short sentimental attachment to John Palmer, who admired her from afar. Charles Fox was another admirer of hers, often following her performances. Lord Derby, whom she married on May 1st, 1797, treated her with respect and kindness, unlike some of her contemporaries. Her marriage produced a son and two daughters. In death, Farren was remembered for her exceptional talent and beauty. Hazlitt described her as "Miss Farren, with her fine-lady airs and graces, with that elegant turn of her head and motion of her fan and tripping of her tongue" (Criticisms and Dramatic Essays, 1851, p. 49). Richard Cumberland spoke highly of her style, labeling it "exquisite." George Colman the younger praised her as "the lovely and accomplished Miss Farren," saying that "No person ever more successfully performed the elegant levies of Lady Townly." Tate Wilkinson credited Farren with "infinite merit" (Wandering Patentee, iii. 42). Horace Walpole spoke of her as the most perfect actress he had ever seen, while Mrs. Siddons commiserated the loss of their comic muse on the day of Farren's marriage. Farren reportedly had an affair with Anne Seymour Damer, which added to her reputation as a talented and alluring performer.