Lydia Webb Explained

Lydia Webb
Birth Date:	1736 or 1737
Birth Place:	Norwich, England
Death Date:	24 November 1793
Death Place:	United Kingdom
Occupation:	Actress

Lydia Webb (1736 or 1737-1793^[1]) was an English actress. She started acting in Norwich. She was married twice. First, she married a man named Mr. Day. Second, she married a Mr. Webb. Her first notable performance was on 21 November 1772 at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, performing in The West Indian. She died in 1793.

Career

Webb was a versatile and proactive performer. She was in more than 50 plays. When she was elderly, she played more "grotesque characters." She performed many parts including:

• Portia, The Merchant of Venice, 29 November 1773
• Mrs. Peachum, The Beggar's Opera, Covent Garden Theatre
• Mrs. Honeycombe, Polly Honeycombe, Haymarket Theatre
• Glumdalca, Tom Thumb, Covent Garden Theatre
• Queen, Hamlet
• Emilia, Othello

and many other performances. In 1786, she was featured in an illustration by James Sayers, which is now held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lydia Webb (née Child) (1736 or 1737-1793), Actress. Collection. National Portrait Gallery. 21 January 2015.
2. Web site: 'Performed at a little theatre with great applause' (Mrs Edwards; Lydia Webb (née Child)). Collections. National Portrait Gallery. 21 January 2015.