Mary Wells (actress) facts for kids

Mary Wells playing Anne Lovely in "A Bold Stroke for a Wife".

Mary Wells (born 16 December 1762 – died 23 January 1829) was a well-known English actress and writer. She was famous for her performances on stage in London during the late 1700s.

Early Life and First Roles

Mary Wells was born in Birmingham on 16 December 1762. Her father, Thomas Davies, was a carver and gilder. After her father passed away, her mother ran a tavern. An actor named Richard Yates was a customer there. He helped Mary get her first acting chance.

Mary's first role was playing the young Duke of York in Shakespeare's play Richard III at the Birmingham Theatre. This was a breeches role, meaning she dressed as a boy for the part. She also played Cupid in Trip to Scotland and Arthur in King John. Later, in Gloucester, she played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and married the actor who played Romeo. However, this marriage did not last long.

Becoming a London Stage Star

Mary Wells made her first appearance on the London stage on 1 June 1781 at the Haymarket Theatre. She played Madge in Love in a Village and Mrs. Cadwallader in Author. People thought she was excellent in both roles.

Later, she became very famous for playing Cowslip in John O'Keeffe's play Agreeable Surprise. This role was so popular that people often called her 'Cowslip' Wells. Many critics said her acting as Cowslip was outstanding.

Mary Wells as Lavinia in Titus Andronicus, from an engraving made in 1785.

Mary also performed at the Drury Lane Theatre. She played Nancy in Love in a Camp and Jenny in The Gentle Shepherd. She took on many different characters, including Harriet in The Jealous Wife and Flora in She Would and She Would Not.

In 1782, she took on a challenging role as Macheath in The Beggar's Opera. In this special performance, all the male characters were played by women and all the female characters by men. Mary was a big success in this role and was cheered by the audience.

She later tried tragic roles, playing Jane Shore on 30 April 1783. At the Haymarket, she created new roles like Fanny in Mogul's Tale and Maud in Peeping Tom. She also played famous characters like Isabella and Lady Randolph in Douglas.

In 1785, Mary played Nancy Buttercup in Beggar on Horseback. She then moved to the Covent Garden Theatre, where she continued to play Jane Shore, which she believed was her best performance. She also played Imogen in Cymbeline, a role for which she received much praise. Other important roles included Rosalind and Portia from Shakespeare's plays.

Mary Wells was known for her amazing imitations of other famous actresses, like Mrs. Siddons. She even earned a lot of money for these performances. She continued to act at Covent Garden and also performed in summer seasons in places like Cheltenham and Brighton, where she was popular with the royal family.

Later Life and Writings

Mary Wells had three daughters with a writer named Edward Topham. She later faced some personal difficulties. She married Joseph Sumbel while he was in prison. For a time, she converted to Judaism and took the name Leah, but she later returned to Christianity.

After 1790, Mary Wells did not act as much, but she continued to give her famous imitations at private gatherings. She spent her later years living with her elderly mother. She received financial support from the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund until her death in London on 23 January 1829. She was buried in St Pancras, London.

In 1811, Mary Wells published her autobiography called Memoirs of the Life of Mrs. Sumbel, late Wells, of the Theatres Royal Drury Lane, Covent Garden, and Haymarket, written by herself. This book shared details of her life, including her search for her children and friends. A later version of her book was released in 1828 with a new title: Anecdotes and Correspondence of Celebrated Actors and Actresses.

=Images for kids

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  Mary Wells playing Anne Lovely in "A Bold Stroke for a Wife".

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  Mary Wells as Lavinia in Titus Andronicus, from an engraving made in 1785.