Mrs Woodman facts for kids

Mrs Woodman was a talented singer and actress who performed in the late 1700s. She was active from about 1768 to 1789. Her career took her to famous stages in Edinburgh, Covent Garden, and Astley's Amphitheatre.

A Look at Mrs Woodman's Life

Mrs Woodman is remembered for her short career. She is also known because people often confused her with another performer named Mrs Woodham. This was a common mix-up at the time!

Early Performances

Mrs Woodman first appeared on stage in Edinburgh in 1768. One of her notable roles was playing Polly in a popular show called The Beggar's Opera. Interestingly, the actress who would later be known as Mrs Woodham was in the same acting group. She played a different character, Dolly Trull, in the same show.

Moving to London Stages

After her time in Edinburgh, Mrs Woodman moved to London. She performed at the famous Covent Garden Opera House during the 1770-1771 season. While her singing was good, her acting was not considered outstanding by critics.

In September 1773, she held two special performances at Marylebone Gardens. These shows were likely to help her financially. Around this time, her husband, who was a school teacher, passed away.

Facing Challenges

Life was tough for Mrs Woodman. By 1775, she was struggling with money. She had five children to care for and faced the possibility of being sent to prison because of her debts. She made a public appeal for help, and thankfully, she was able to avoid imprisonment.

Later Career and Confusion

After these difficulties, Mrs Woodman found a new home for her talents. She joined Astley's Amphitheatre in 1775. This was a popular place for shows that combined acting, singing, and horse riding. She performed there for four years.

Many years later, in September 1803, Astley's Amphitheatre suffered a big fire. There was confusion about whether Mrs Woodman had died in the fire. However, it is now believed that it was the other actress, Mrs Woodham, who was involved in that sad event.