Siddons, Sarah - City of Southampton Society/home.html

Sarah Siddons

Portrait by Thomas Gainsborough

Sarah Siddons [nee Kemble] [1755-1831] had a house in Southampton near to the junction of Portland Street and Portland Terrace. In the late 18th century / early 19th century she specialised in roles in tragedies making Lady Macbeth a specialty part. The daughter of an actor-manager she spent many years in a traveling rep company. She came to the attention of David Garrick and made a not too successful appearance at Drury Lane and returned to the provincial circuit and in 1782 returned to Drury Lane where she received great acclaim.

As a tribute to the great actress, a modern day group of amateur thespians The Sarah Siddons Fan Club perform locally in Southampton, both as street theatre and to clubs and societies.