Throwback Thursday and Louise
Farebrother
An obscure dancer and actress from the
1800s is Louise Farebrother. In the photo above she is seen in the role of
Abdullah in the ballet Open Sesame
(1844). During this period, although most ballets were created by men, it
became unacceptable for them to appear onstage. Therefore, many male roles were
portrayed by women.
Sarah Farebrother (Louise was her stage
name) was born on October 8, 1816, and became known more for her personal life
than her professional one. She was one of very few dancers to actually marry
into the aristocracy.
George, Duke of Cambridge (first cousin
to Queen Victoria), fell in love with Louise. He soon began haunting
the stage door of the Lyceum Theater where she performed. For several years
they lived together before marrying in secret since the Royal Marriage Act
decreed that a member of the Royal Family couldn’t marry without the permission
of the current ruler. One account states that eventually Queen Victoria
approved the union, another says she always ignored Louise. Due to the debate
about her marriage, Sarah could not take on the title of Duchess of Cambridge or the style Her Royal Highness. Instead she was first
known as Mrs Fairbrother and later as Mrs FitzGeorge.
Together they had three sons, George in
1843, Adolphus in 1846 and Augustus in 1847.
Louise died on January 12, 1890 and was
laid to rest in the mausoleum in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.
From the Big
Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Dance History Secret #253:
“ Dancer Louise Farebrother married into the
Royal Family.”
Link of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
“There is
only one true aristocracy . . . and that is the aristocracy of passionate
souls!”
― Tennessee Williams
― Tennessee Williams
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