Romeo and Juliet Performance, Haymarket Theatre, London, Dec 30, 1845

Romeo and Juliet Performance, Haymarket Theatre, London, Dec 30, 1845

Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876

Muspratt, Susan Cushman, 1822-1859

Gender Norms

Charlotte Cushman performs as Romeo and her sister takes over the role of Juliet.

Cushman's performance as Romeo is generally met with wild enthusiasm. There were, however, also critical voices, among them Mary Russell Mitford (1787-1855). Mitford was the author of the play Rienzi in which Cushman assumed the part of Claudia when it was performed in the US. Mitford was nonetheless not keen on Cushman's "she-Romeo":

"I hope that Mr. Chorley's play will be brought out at Covenant Garden by Miss Cushman, who is now, to my great horror, playing Romeo to her sister's Juliet. I don't like she-Romeos, but she has made what is called a hit, though hardly, I should think, of the best sort. How a woman make the right sensation in doubler and hose!" (letter to Charles Boner, March 23, 1846; qut. in Elizabeth Lee (ed.), Mary Russell Mitford: Correspondence with Charles Boner & John Ruskin 49)

1845-12-30

Reference

Event

Performance

Haymarket Theatre, London

51.5087561

-0.1314903