Sarah Thurmond facts for kids

Sarah Thurmond (also known as Sarah Lewis) was a British actress who lived in the 1700s. She was known for her performances on stage in London and Dublin. She also played important roles in early forms of pantomime theatre.

Sarah Thurmond's Acting Career

Sarah Lewis was born in Epsom, England. We do not know the exact year she was born. She began her acting career around 1711. Her first performances were in places like Drury Lane and Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Early Stage Appearances

While acting in Greenwich, Sarah met John Thurmond. He was also an actor, and his father, John Thurmond the Elder, was well-known in theatre. Sarah and John married. After their marriage, Sarah moved to Dublin, Ireland. There, she acted at the famous Smock Alley Theatre. Her husband's parents, John and Winifred Thurmond, were also performing there.

Returning to London Stages

By 1718, Sarah and John Thurmond were back in London. They performed at the Drury Lane Theatre. Sarah took on many main roles in plays. Her husband, John, worked as a dancing master for the theatre.

The First Pantomime Play

In 1723, something special happened. John Thurmond wrote a play called Harlequin Doctor Faustus. This play was performed at Drury Lane. Many people consider it to be England's very first pantomime. Pantomimes are a type of musical play, often based on fairy tales, that are popular around Christmas.

Later Years in Theatre

In 1732, Sarah and John Thurmond moved to perform at the Goodman's Fields Theatre. Sarah continued to act in many shows. Two years later, she returned to the Drury Lane Theatre. Her final known performance was in 1737. Sarah Thurmond passed away in 1762.