Sarah Siddons was the first superstar actor, a favourite of Jane Austen and King George III, she was so popular that her followers were accused of having “Siddonsmania”. She was famous for her dramatic attitudes and her interpretations of Shakespeare’s tragic heroines. She also had a home in Southampton and visited frequently to stay with her close friend and biggest fan Charlotte Fitzhugh of Bannisters. Charlotte commissioned a painting of her friend to be painted by Thomas Lawrence.
The Fan Club theatre’s first major production was ‘Taking the Flounce’ set in Georgian Southampton and our acting style was inspired by the Divine Mrs S! As the great lady once said “Sorry am I to say, I have often observed that I have performed worst when I most ardently wished to do better than even”.
