Sarah Bezra Nicol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Bezra Nicol
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1823 engraving of Mrs Nicol
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| Died | 1834 or after |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | actress |
| Known for | playing older women in Edinburgh |
| Children | Emma Nicol |
Sarah Bezra Nicol was a British actress who became famous for playing older women on stage in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was known for her special "character roles," which means she played unique and memorable characters, often older ladies.
Becoming an Actress
Sarah's original name when she was born is not known. In the late 1700s, she worked as a servant for a family named the Milners. They noticed her talent when she joined a group called the "Shakespearean Society of London." This was a group of people who loved acting and put on plays just for fun in a small theatre.
The Milners saw Sarah act in a play called Venice Preserv'd. They were very impressed and encouraged her to follow her dreams of becoming a professional actress. Soon, she started acting outside of London. She became known as "Mrs. Nicol" because her husband worked as a printer. All her future acting work used this name. In 1800, Sarah and her husband had a daughter named Emma Nicol. Emma was the first of four daughters who would also grow up to become actresses!
Starring in Edinburgh
By 1807, Mrs. Nicol was the top choice for playing older women characters at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh. The next year, she had her first "benefit performance." This was a special show where all the money from ticket sales went to her, which was a big honor for an actor.
Mrs. Nicol performed with a famous actor named Henry Siddons at the New Theatre Royal. She played many well-known character roles, like Mrs Malaprop. She was also part of the group chosen to perform in a new musical play based on the famous novel Rob Roy.
Rob Roy on Stage
The play was called "Rob Roy MacGregor" and was first performed on June 10, 1818. Mrs. Nicol played the part of Jean McAlpine. This play was so popular that even King George IV came to see it when he visited Scotland! Mrs. Nicol was still playing Jean McAlpine when the King watched the show.
Two of her daughters also acted with her in "Rob Roy MacGregor." Her daughter Emma played the role of Mattie. Around 1823, Emma Nicol left Edinburgh to find acting work in London.
In 1823, a picture of Mrs. Nicol was made by an artist named William Home Lizars. It showed her as Miss Grizelda Oldbuck. She had played this character at the Theatre Royal in a play based on Walter Scott's novel The Antiquary.
Later Years
By 1833, Mrs. Nicol was getting older and it was harder for her to find regular acting jobs. She gave her final performance at another benefit show in 1834. She passed away sometime after that.
By November 1834, her daughter Emma was back in Edinburgh. Emma started playing the same types of roles that her mother had been famous for at the Theatre Royal. People noticed that Emma had become a much better actress since she left. This allowed her to take on the special roles that her mother had made so popular.
