Mary Saunderson facts for kids

Drawing of the actress.

Mary Saunderson (born 1637, died 1712) was a famous English actress and singer. After she married Thomas Betterton, she became known as Mary Saunderson Betterton. She performed in England during the 1660s and 1690s. Mary is thought to be one of the very first professional actresses in England.

Becoming a Star Actress

Mary Saunderson achieved many important things in her acting career. She was the first female actress to play many of William Shakespeare's famous female characters on a professional stage. Before the 1660s, women and young girls were not allowed to act. Teenage boys played all the female roles. But by the 1660s, the rules in England changed. This allowed women to become professional actors.

Mary was the first to play Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. She also played Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. Other important roles included characters in The Tempest, Ophelia in Hamlet, and parts in Measure for Measure, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, and King Lear.

Her husband, Thomas Betterton, was also a well-known actor. His connections helped Mary get many important roles. People respected Mary for her good character. The writer Colley Cibber said she lived a "sober life," meaning she was very respectable.

Famous Roles and Performances

One of Mary's first big roles was Ianthe in The Siege of Rhodes in 1661. She took over from another actress who had not done well. Mary performed wonderfully under the direction of William Davenant. She did so well that people often called her "Ianthe" for the rest of her life.

Mary also sang in several operas by Aphra Behn. Many people believe her best performance was as Lady Macbeth. Colley Cibber, a famous actor and playwright, said she was amazing at showing strong emotions. He felt she could show the "terror from the disorder of a guilty Mind" in a way that was both scary and wonderful to watch. Mary played major female roles for about 30 years. She slowly stopped acting in the early 1690s. Her last role was the main female character in John Dryden's final play, Love Triumphant.

Teaching and Mentoring Young Actors

Mary Betterton loved acting so much that she wanted to share her skills with others. She wanted to educate and inspire young people. Mary and her husband even helped raise and train a young actress named Anne Bracegirdle. Mary played a big part in preparing Anne for her very successful acting career. Anne Bracegirdle became known for her good character, which was largely due to Mary Betterton's moral guidance.

Mary Betterton was such a positive influence and teacher for young actresses. King Charles II even asked her to train his nieces. These nieces were the daughters of his younger brother. This shows how much people respected Mary as an acting coach and mentor. As Lady Anne and Lady Mary grew up to be Queens, Mary Betterton's training could be seen in their clear and direct speeches. Mary had a lasting impact on these women. When Thomas Betterton died, Queen Anne even gave Mary a yearly payment. This made sure Mary was financially secure.

Her Life Off Stage

Mary Betterton was the granddaughter of Richard Burbage. He was one of William Shakespeare's actors and one of the first famous Shakespearean actors. We don't know much about Mary's childhood. The first information we have is that Sir William Davenant hired her in 1661. She joined his acting group, the Duke's Company.

Mary lived with other actresses in the company under the care of Davenant's wife. On Christmas Eve in 1662, Mary and Thomas Betterton, the leading actor of the company, got married. Their marriage lasted for about 48 years. They had a very strong and loving marriage until Thomas died in 1710. Mary Betterton was different from many other English actresses. She kept her private life very private. She was not interested in any public gossip or talk about her life off stage.

Roles She Played