Fanny Furnival facts for kids

Elizabeth "Fanny" Furnival was a talented British actress and singer. She was active in theatres in London and Dublin from about 1731 to 1752. She became famous for playing the male role of Hamlet in 1741. She was also known as "Mrs Kemble" for a time, even though she never married Roger Kemble.

Elizabeth Furnival's Acting Career

Early Days in London

Elizabeth Furnival first became known in the theatre world around 1730. She joined the company at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London. Her husband, Thomas Furnival, was also an actor and joined the same company.

One of her first recorded performances was on February 10, 1731. She played the character "Lady Grace" in a play called The Provok'd Husband. After 1731, Elizabeth and Thomas Furnival were not seen on London stages for a few years. It is believed they toured other towns and cities in Great Britain during this time.

A Bold Role in Dublin

In 1739, Elizabeth and Thomas Furnival moved to Dublin, Ireland. They both found work in the busy theatre scene there. A very notable moment in Elizabeth's career happened in 1741. She took on the challenging role of Hamlet, a male character, in a play. This was quite unusual for a woman at that time.

While working in Dublin, it seems Elizabeth and her husband Thomas separated. Thomas Furnival continued his acting career back in London. He passed away in 1773.

A Stage Rivalry

In 1745, Elizabeth Furnival had a big disagreement with another well-known actress, George Anne Bellamy. This rivalry caused problems for Elizabeth in Dublin. Bellamy and her supporter, Mrs Butler, worked together to make sure Bellamy got a key role. This was the part of Constance in the play King John at the Smock Alley Theatre.

Later, Bellamy took the role of Cleopatra in All for Love. Elizabeth Furnival felt this part should have been hers. Instead, she had to play the smaller role of Octavia. Elizabeth decided to do something surprising. She appeared on stage during All for Love wearing Bellamy's special dress. This dress even had diamonds and actually belonged to Bellamy's supporter, Mrs Butler.

When Mrs Butler saw her dress on stage, she asked the audience for help. The crowd started shouting, "No more Furnival!" Because of this, another actress, Mary Elmy, had to quickly take over Elizabeth's role. After this incident, Elizabeth had to leave Dublin.

Later Life and Partnerships

In 1752, Elizabeth Furnival joined a theatre company in Canterbury. This company was led by a man named Smith. It was here that Roger Kemble began his theatre career. Elizabeth was the main actress in the company at this time.

Elizabeth and Roger Kemble became partners. They even planned to get married. Although Elizabeth was sometimes called "Mrs Kemble" in public, it is thought they never actually married. Later, Elizabeth and Roger Kemble moved to Birmingham. They worked under the management of John Ward. Roger Kemble eventually married John Ward's daughter.