Susanna Verbruggen facts for kids

Susanna Verbruggen (born Percival) was a famous English actress. She lived from about 1667 to 1703 and performed in London. She was also known as Susanna Mountfort.

Life of a Star Actress

Susanna's father, Thomas Percival, was also an actor. He worked with a group called the Duke's Company for over ten years. Susanna likely started acting around 1681. One of her first known roles was in a play called Sir Barnaby Whigg.

In 1686, she married another actor, William Mountfort. After his death in 1692, she married actor John Verbruggen.

Her Acting Style

Susanna was a very successful and popular comedian. She was especially known for her breeches roles. These were parts where she dressed up as a man. Both men and women in the audience loved her performances in these roles.

Her biggest success was playing Lucia in Sir Anthony Love. In this play, Lucia pretends to be a daring man named "Sir Anthony." This allowed her to act very freely on stage, like a bold character from that time.

Working with Theatre Companies

Susanna was one of the main actresses at the United Company. This was a big theatre group. However, in 1695, the company split into two. Susanna was not offered a share in the new actors' group. Instead, she was only offered a salary.

This was a big mistake by the actors' company. Susanna and her husband, John Verbruggen, were not happy with this offer. Susanna was very talented and popular. So, they both decided to return to the original company. Their return made the original company much stronger in the competition against the new one.

Family Life

Susanna had a daughter, also named Susanna Mountfort (1690-1720). Her daughter followed in her footsteps. She became an actress at the Drury Lane theatre, starting her career in 1703.

Plays She Performed In

Susanna Verbruggen played many different characters during her career. Here are some of the plays she was in: