Elizabeth Hartley (actress) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Hartley
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Elizabeth Hartley by Joshua Reynolds
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Elizabeth White
1751 Berrow, Somerset, England
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| Died | 1 February 1824 (aged 73) King Street, Woolwich, London, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actress |
Elizabeth Hartley (born Elizabeth White) was a very famous actress in London during the 1700s. She was known for her beauty and her gentle acting style. She performed in many popular plays of her time.
Contents
Life as an Actress
Elizabeth Hartley was born in Berrow, Somerset, England. Her parents were James and Eleanor White. It's not known why she later changed her last name to Hartley.
She started her acting career in Edinburgh, Scotland. After that, she moved to Bristol, England, to perform.
First Big Performances
Elizabeth Hartley first appeared at the famous Covent Garden theatre in London on October 5, 1772. Her role was Jane Shore. People said she was "deserving of much praise." They also noted her "elegant" figure and "pleasing" face. Her voice was often "melodious," and her acting was considered "just."
However, not all reviews were perfect. When she played Queen Catherine in the play Henry VIII, some thought her voice became "very disagreeable."
Popularity and Looks
Even though her acting sometimes received mixed reviews, Elizabeth Hartley was very popular with audiences. Many people praised her looks more than her acting skills. She was known for her beauty.
Many famous artists painted her portrait. These artists included Joshua Reynolds, George Romney, and Angelica Kauffman. One person said she was "a very beautiful woman." They also noted she was good at playing gentle characters, but not so good at showing anger.
Elizabeth Hartley worked at the Covent Garden theatre in many different roles until 1780. She also performed at other theatres in places like Drury Lane, Liverpool, and Stroud.
Leaving the Stage
She stopped acting at the end of the 1779–80 season. She was only about 30 years old at the time. She might have left the stage because of poor health.
There isn't much information about her life after she stopped acting. We know she died in King Street, Woolwich, on February 1, 1824. She was buried on February 6 under her birth name, White. In her will, she left £100 to the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund, which helped actors.
Famous Roles She Played
Elizabeth Hartley played many different characters during her acting career. She performed in various plays in Edinburgh, Bristol, and London.
Roles in Edinburgh (1771–1772)
- Monimia in The Orphan
- Desdemona in Othello
- Cordelia in King Lear
- Anne Bullen in Henry VIII
Roles in Bristol (1772)
- Jane Shore in The Tragedy of Jane Shore
- Indiana in The Conscious Lovers
Roles in London (1772–1780)
- Jane Shore in The Tragedy of Jane Shore (October 1772)
- Queen Catherine in Henry VIII (November 1772)
- Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (March 1773)
- Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (May 1773)
- Hermione in The Winter's Tale (1774)
- Lady Jane Grey in Lady Jane Grey
- Olivia in Twelfth Night
Images for kids
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Elizabeth Hartley by Joshua Reynolds
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Elizabeth Hartley by Angelica Kauffmann in the role of Hermione
