Margaret Farren facts for kids

Margaret Farren, also known as Peggy Farren and later Mrs Knight, was a talented British actress. She was the sister of Elizabeth Farren, who became the Countess of Derby. Margaret Farren passed away in 1804.

Early Life and Acting Beginnings

Margaret Farren was born to George Farren and his wife. Her father, George, was a surgeon and a pharmacist (someone who prepared and sold medicines) from Cork, Ireland. He later became an actor. Her mother was from Liverpool, and her father was a pub owner or a brewer.

Sadly, Margaret's father died in 1770. This left her mother to raise Margaret and her three sisters.

In 1774, Margaret, her mother, and her sisters were acting in Wakefield. They worked for a theater manager named Whiteley.

Margaret first performed in London when she was young. On June 18, 1777, she played Titania in a play called Fairy Tale at the Haymarket Theatre. This play was a shorter version of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A Growing Career

Margaret joined a theater company led by Tate Wilkinson in 1782. She later left to perform in Scotland and Ireland. However, she rejoined Wilkinson's company in 1786.

A playbill from Covent Garden, December 1, 1796, showing that Mr. and Mrs. Knight were performing in "Abroad and at Home."

In 1786, she acted with Thomas Knight in York. She was very popular there. She then followed him to Bath, where they planned to get married. Margaret married Thomas Knight in 1788. After her marriage, she became known as "Mrs Knight." Soon after, she performed in Bath as Miss Peggy in The Country Girl. Her husband played the character Sparkish in the same play.

Performing at Covent Garden

Margaret and her husband, Thomas, first performed at the famous Covent Garden theatre on September 25, 1795. Margaret played Bridget in a play called The Chapter of Accidents.

Her husband, Thomas Knight, wrote a play called 'Masked Friend'. This play was performed at Covent Garden on May 6, 1796, to benefit both Mr. and Mrs. Knight. Thomas played Squire Turnbull, and Margaret played Miss Turnbull. Another short comedy, 'Hints for Painters', was also performed that day.

Margaret and her husband worked at Covent Garden for three years. After that, they moved to Edinburgh. On July 2, 1799, Margaret played Aura in a play called 'Farm House'. She later performed in Newcastle and other places. Eventually, she returned to Bath, where she passed away in 1804.