Ann Street Barry facts for kids
Ann Street Barry (1734 – 29 November 1801) was a famous British actress, singer, and dancer. She was also known as Ann Dancer and later Ann Crawford. She was known for her powerful acting and was considered one of the best actresses of her time.
Her Life Story
Ann was born in Bath, England. Her father, James Street, was an apothecary, which was like a pharmacist who prepared medicines. Her brother, William Street, later became the Mayor of Bath in 1784.
Ann started her acting career with her first husband, William Dancer. Her first known performance was in 1758. She played Cordelia in the play King Lear. In the same play, Spranger Barry acted as Lear. Ann and Spranger Barry became very close. After her first husband, William Dancer, passed away in 1759, Ann and Spranger Barry continued their relationship. They later married in 1768.
In 1759, Ann performed in Dublin, where she took on many main roles. Later, she moved to London with Spranger Barry. She performed at Drury Lane theatre. Her performances there were very popular and made her a well-known actress.
Ann Barry later moved to Covent Garden theatre, where she continued to act with her second husband. After he passed away, she stayed at Covent Garden. She married again and was first listed under her new married name, Mrs. Crawford, in 1778. Her last known performance was in 1798. She played Lady Randolph in John Home's play Douglas. Her performances as Lady Randolph and Desdemona were thought to be her best roles. Another famous actress, Sarah Siddons, even wrote a letter saying she was amazed by Ann Barry's acting skills.
Ann married a lawyer and actor and became Ann Crawford. However, when she passed away in 1801, she was buried next to Spranger Barry in Westminster Abbey.
Selected Roles
Ann Street Barry played many important characters during her career. Here are some of the plays she performed in:
- Countess of Salisbury in The Countess of Salisbury by Hall Hartson (1767)
- Mrs Harley in False Delicacy by Hugh Kelly (1768)
- Zenobia in Zenobia by Arthur Murphy (1768)
- Rivine in The Fatal Discovery by John Home (1769)
- Miss Montague in A Word to the Wise by Hugh Kelly (1770)
- Euphrasia in The Grecian Daughter by Arthur Murphy (1772)
- Orisminda in Alonzo by John Home (1773)
- Sethona in Sethona by Alexander Dow (1774)
- Eleonora in Edward and Eleonora by James Thomson (1775)
- Elwina in Percy by Hannah More (1777)
- Ethelswida in Alfred by John Home (1778)
Images for kids
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Anne Street Barry and David Garrick in 1759
