Fanny Robertson facts for kids

Fanny Robertson (born Frances Mary Ross) was a famous actress. She was born in 1765 and passed away on December 18, 1855. Later in her life, she became the manager of many theatres. These theatres were part of a group called the Lincoln Circuit, located in different towns outside of London.

Fanny Robertson's Family

Fanny's parents, William and Elizabeth Ross, were also actors. Her younger sister, Anna Ross, married another actor and theatre manager, John Brunton.

Many of Fanny's family members were involved in theatre. Her niece, Elizabeth Yates, became a well-known actress. Even her half-brothers and half-sister were actors. They often performed with Fanny in the Lincoln Circuit theatres.

Fanny married Thomas Shaftoe Robertson on September 8, 1793. He was also an actor and manager. They had three sons: Richard, Thomas, and John. Her nephew, William Shaftoe Robertson, had famous children too. These included the playwright T. W. Robertson and the famous actress Dame Madge Kendal.

Her Acting Career

Fanny Robertson performed at the Theatre Royal, Norwich for many years. She often acted alongside her sister and other family members. In 1791, she played a main role in a play called The Grecian Daughter. People praised her performance, saying she had a bright future in tragic roles.

Fanny's husband, Thomas, managed the Lincoln Circuit theatres. These theatres were in towns like Lincoln, Boston, [[Wisbech]], and Peterborough. Sometimes, audiences could be rowdy. Her husband even had to protect Fanny and other actors from bad behavior.

Fanny worked with many actors during her long career. She performed with child actor William Henry West Betty in 1808. Years later, she brought his son, Henry Betty, to perform at her theatre. In 1810, she acted with John Quick in several plays. These included As You Like It and The Belle's Stratagem.

She also performed with very famous actors of her time. In 1824, she acted opposite Edmund Kean in The Merchant of Venice. He also played lead roles in Richard III and Hamlet. Fanny also performed with William Macready in Hamlet in 1828 and 1836. Another famous actor she brought to her theatres was Henry Compton. Critics loved his funny performances.

When her husband faced financial difficulties in 1817, supporters helped them. They put on plays and bought theatre property to help the family. Some theatre owners even lowered their rents.

Managing Theatres

After her husband passed away in 1831, Fanny took over the Lincoln Circuit. She announced that her nephew, William Robertson, would help manage the acting. At this time, gas lighting was installed in the theatre, which was a big improvement!

Fanny made some changes to the theatre seasons. She also wrote and produced her own plays, like The Nun in 1833. In 1835, the Wisbech theatre, which Fanny was renting, was bought by James Hill. He invested money to improve the theatre. However, in 1840, James Hill faced financial problems, and the theatre was sold.

Audience tastes were changing. Fanny started to include more musical concerts. She brought artists from big festivals to perform. However, attendance at some shows, like in Wisbech in 1841, was sometimes low.

In 1843, Fanny decided to retire from managing the theatres. She gave the management to her nephew, William Robertson. She performed one last time in a play called Everyone has his Fault. She gave a farewell speech to a full house.

Fanny retired to Wisbech that year. Her nephew continued to manage the family's theatre company. In 1845, Fanny sold the Huntingdon theatre. She continued to be involved in the theatre world. In 1846, her company performed a play written by a local doctor.

By 1848, Fanny, at 80 years old, was in a difficult financial situation. Towns on the Lincoln Circuit helped her by collecting money. A concert was held to raise funds for her. This help allowed her to live comfortably. The 1851 census shows she was living on her own.

Fanny Robertson passed away in Wisbech in 1855.

Her Legacy

Fanny Robertson encouraged William Hilton, a scenery painter for her company, to become an artist. He became a very successful painter. To thank her, he painted a portrait of Fanny Robertson in her role as Beatrice. This painting was later displayed in the Wisbech Working Men's Institute.

Today, the Wisbech & Fenland Museum has many old theatre posters and items from the Georgian theatre in Wisbech. The Angles Theatre in Wisbech, which reopened in the 1970s, has a bar named "The Lincoln Circuit." This name honors the theatre network that Fanny Robertson and her family managed for so many years.