Letitia Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Letitia Cross
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as Saint Catherine c. 1697 by Godfrey Kneller
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| Born | 1682 |
| Died | 4 April 1737 |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Mrs Cross |
| Occupation | singer and actor |
| Spouse(s) | Peter Weir |
| Partner(s) | Peter the Great |
Letitia Cross (born around 1682 – died 4 April 1737) was a talented British singer and actor. She became famous for performing at the Drury Lane Theatre in London. She also had a special connection with Peter the Great, the Russian ruler, during his visit to England.
Contents
Letitia Cross: A Stage Star
Early Life and Theatre Start
Letitia Cross was born in Surrey, England, likely in 1681 or 1682. She grew up in the world of theatre, guided by her mother. Her grandparents might have been Leonard and Ann Cross. She was baptized in a town called Dorking.
By 1694, while still a child, Letitia joined the Drury Lane/Dorset Garden theatre company in London. At that time, it was the main theatre group in the city. She sang songs by the famous composer Henry Purcell. She also appeared in his unfinished opera, The Indian Queen, after he passed away. Letitia performed in other plays like The Mock Marriage, The Rival Sisters, and a version of The Tempest by John Dryden.
Rising to Fame
Letitia continued to perform in many different shows. In 1696, she even appeared as herself in a funny play that made fun of things happening at the time. Later that year, she was in The Relapse by John Vanbrugh. Her acting and singing skills made her a well-known name in the London theatre scene.
A Royal Visitor
In 1697 and 1698, Peter the Great, the powerful ruler of Russia, made a long trip across Europe called the Grand Embassy. During this journey, he visited London. Letitia Cross became a close companion to him. She received a payment of £500 as a "present" from the Czar. She had hoped for more money, but Peter the Great thought she was already well paid. Later that same year, she traveled to France with a "certain baronet," which is a type of British noble.
Facing Challenges
In 1705, a new opera called Arsinoe opened. It was created by Thomas Clayton and was considered the first English opera in the "Italian style." Letitia Cross, who had recently returned to Drury Lane, was one of the main performers. The next month, she appeared in Florimel and then The Tender Husband in April.
In 1706, Letitia married Peter Weir, but sadly, he was killed in Flanders soon after. Letitia continued her acting career. She created new roles, like Miranda in Susanna Centlivre's very popular comedy play, The Busy Body, in 1709. This play was so successful that it ran for 13 nights!
The following year, the Drury Lane Theatre got new managers: Robert Wilks, Colley Cibber, and Thomas Doggett. They refused to honor a five-year contract Letitia had signed with the previous management. However, 73 of her fans signed a petition to support her. Because of this, the new managers had to change their minds and let her keep her contract. Letitia was accused of planning the petition herself, but she said she didn't.
Later Years
Letitia Cross had a special performance called a "benefit" in 1732. This meant she returned to the stage for just one night, and the money from ticket sales went to her. She passed away at her home in Leicester Fields in London on 4 April 1737. She left behind shares in the Lincoln's Inn Fields theatre and several special mourning rings. A famous painting of her as Saint Catherine was made by Sir Godfrey Kneller in the 1690s, and a matching print was created by John Smith.
