WXDA Record #778
Mirror of Truth, or Authentic Memoirs of the Life of Mrs. Wells.
5 September 1787
Summary
Mrs. Wells's breeches roles. Her first role of any kind is as the Duke of York in Richard III in Birmingham theatre. Then in London played Macheath in Haymarket production "with the sex reversed" when Mrs. Cargill abandoned the role mid-run to elope; Bannister played Polly. Wells learned role in two days, but: "Mrs. Cargill had gone off in Macheath's clothes. Mrs. Wells was therefore obliged to beg the loan of a coat of one, and waistcoat and breeches of another; and the public can vouch for the truth of the assertions." Finally, at Drury-Lane "Her first appearance on this stage was in the part of Nancy, in the musical entertainment of the Camp. The same success attended her as at the Hay-market Theatre."
Full Title
5 Sep 1787. Mirror of Truth, or Authentic Memoirs of the Life of Mrs. Wells. Times p. 2 c. A,B.
Publication
Times of London(Times)
Full Record
- Date
- 5 September 1787
- Provisional Category
- Breeches Actor
- Cross-dressing occupation
- Actor
- Locations
- BirminghamView on mapLondonView on map
- Primary source topic
- Dressed as a man; Theatre; Dressed as a woman
- Item format
- Memoir; Letter to the editor
- Motive
- Livelihood
- Attire
- Breeches part
- Social rank
- Middling
- Sex Perceived by Recorder
- Female; Male
People Mentioned in This Record
- Wells(Subject of study)Mentions