Mary Knep facts for kids

Mary Knep (died 1681), also known as Knepp, Nepp, Knip, or Knipp, was an English actress. She was one of the first women to perform on public stages during the Restoration era. This was a time when theaters reopened in England after a long ban. Before this, only men and boys were allowed to act in plays.

Mary Knep: A Pioneer Actress

Mary Knep was a talented performer. She was especially good at singing and dancing. Over time, she became a very skilled actress. She started her acting career with a group called the King's Company. This company was led by Thomas Killigrew.

Starting Her Stage Career

Mary Knep made her first public appearance on June 1, 1664. She played the main character in a play called Epicene by Ben Jonson. Before this, she was supposed to be in another play by Killigrew called Thomaso. This play was planned to have an all-female cast, which was very unusual. However, the production was canceled before it was finished.

Famous Roles and Performances

Throughout the 1660s and 1670s, Mary Knep performed in many plays. She took on both big and small roles. Some of her notable parts included:

• the Widow in The Scornful Lady (1666)
• Guiomar in The Custom of the Country (1667)
• Alibech in The Indian Emperour (1667)
• Asteria in The Maiden Queen (1667)
• Beatrix in An Evening's Love (1668)
• Aminta in The Sea Voyage (1668)
• Nakar and Felicia in Tyrannick Love (1669)
• Lady Flippant in Love in a Wood (1671)
• Hyppolita in The Assignation (1672)
• Lady Fidget in The Country Wife (1675)
• Eliza in The Plain Dealer (1676)
• Mrs. Dorothy in Trick for Trick (1678) — this was her last known role.

Besides acting, Knep also sang and danced in plays. She often spoke the Prologue (an introduction at the start of a play) and the Epilogue (a speech at the end). Even though she was very talented, she never became as famous as her younger fellow actress, Nell Gwyn.

Life Beyond the Stage

Much of what we know about Mary Knep comes from the famous private diary of Samuel Pepys. Pepys was a well-known writer and government official of that time.

Insights from Samuel Pepys' Diary

Samuel Pepys first met Mary Knep on December 6, 1665. He wrote in his diary that she was "pretty enough." He also said she had a "mad-humoured" personality and sang "the noblest that I ever heard in my life." This shows how much he admired her talent. Knep often gave Pepys special access backstage at the theater. She also shared interesting news and gossip about the theater world and society. When they wrote notes to each other, Pepys used the nickname "Dapper Dickey." Knep signed her notes as "Barbary Allen." This was the title of a popular song she often sang.

Family and Later Life

Mary Knep had at least one child, a son, who was born in June 1666. She continued to perform for many years. Sadly, Mary Knep died in 1681.