Sarah Cooke facts for kids
Sarah Cooke was a famous English actress who lived a long time ago, in the 1600s. She was part of a theater group called the King's Company. This group performed at a well-known place called the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. Sarah Cooke became very good at acting and played many main characters in plays during the 1680s. She passed away in 1688.
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Sarah Cooke's Journey to the Stage
Sarah's aunt worked for the Duchess of York in the 1660s. She helped look after the Duchess's maids of honour. Sarah worked with her aunt for a while.
How She Became an Actress
A powerful person named the Earl of Rochester discovered Sarah. He saw her talent and helped her start a career in acting.
Her Early Acting Days
When Sarah first joined the King's Company, she often performed on tour. She also worked with a special "nursery company." This group helped new actors learn and grow their skills. During this time, she was likely managed by John Coysh.
Performing at Drury Lane
In 1677, Sarah played her first known role at the main Drury Lane theater. The play was called The Country Innocence. She continued to act for the King's Company. In 1682, two big theater groups joined together. They formed a new group called the United Company. Sarah often worked for this new company until she died six years later. We don't know all the roles she played because records from that time are not complete.
Famous Roles on Stage
Sarah Cooke played many different characters in plays. Here are some of her known roles:
- Gillian in The Country Innocence by John Leanerd (1677)
- Flora in The Rambling Justice by John Leanerd (1678)
- Livia in Sir Barnaby Whigg by Thomas D'Urfey (1681)
- Countess of Rutland in The Unhappy Favourite by John Banks (1681)
- Semanthe in The Loyal Brother by Thomas Southerne (1682)
- Serena in Constantine the Great by Nathaniel Lee (1683)
- Erminia in The Disappointment by Thomas Southerne (1684)
- Aminta in A Commonwealth of Women by Thomas D'Urfey (1685)
- Dona Elvira in The Banditti by Thomas D'Urfey (1686)
- Lady Lovemore in The Devil of a Wife by Thomas Jevon (1686)
- Elvira in The Emperor of the Moon by Aphra Behn (1687)
