Mrs. Fitzhenry

Mrs. Fitzhenry (died 1790?) was an Irish actress.

Biography

Mrs. Fitzhenry was born Mary Flanigan, the daughter of the keeper of the old Ferry Boat tavern, Abbey Street, Dublin. She married a lodger in his house, a Captain Gregory, commander of a vessel engaged in the trade between Dublin and Bordeaux. After the death, by drowning, of her husband, followed by the death of her father, she proceeded to London in 1753. She became an actress first under the name of Mrs Gregory, and then as Mrs Fitzhenry after her second marriage to Edward Fitzhenry, an Irish barrister, with whom she had two children. Edward practiced law at the Inner Temple, London. He died in 1772. Around 1774, she retired from acting to live with her children

She returned to the stage, Genest supposes, on no very strong evidence, about 1782-3, and acted successfully many of her old parts. She then finally retired, and is said to have died at Bath in 1790. The date and place are doubted by Genest, a resident in Bath, who thinks there is a confusion between her and Mrs. Fitzmaurice, who died in Bath about this epoch. The monthly obituary of the 'European Magazine' for November and December 1790 says : '11 Dec. Lately in Ireland, Mrs. Fitzhenry, a celebrated actress.'

Mrs. Fitzhenry was an excellent actress. She lacked, however, the personal beauty of Mrs. Yates, to whom she was opposed by the Dublin managers, and was in consequence treated with much discourtesy and cruelty in Dublin. Her acting was original, and her character blameless. She was prudent, and it may almost be said sharp, in pecuniary affairs.

Stage Career

As Mrs Gregory Covent Garden, London

• 10 January 1754 - Hermione in the 'Distressed Mother','her first appearance upon any stage.'
• 23 March 1754 Alicia in 'Jane Shore'

Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, under Sowdon and Victor at a salary of 300l., soon raised to 400l.

• January 1755 - Hermione
• 14 March 1755 - Zara in the 'Mourning Bride'
• 2 February 1756 - Zaphira in 'Barbarossa'
• Volumnia in 'Coriolanus'

Covent Garden, London

• 5 January 1757 - Hermione
• Calista (The Fair Penitent)
• Lady Macbeth (Macbeth) - benefit performance

As Mrs Fitzhenry Dublin

• October 1757 - Calista (The Fair Penitent) - Smock Alley Theatre,
• 1759 - 1764 - Isabella (Measure for Measure), Emilia (Othello), Cleopatra (All For Love), the Queen (Hamlet), Madane (Orphan of China), Queen Katharine.
• 15 Ocotber 1765 - Calista (The Fair Penitent) - Drury Lane Theatre, London
• 9 April 1766 - Roxanna (Rival Queens)
• 1773-4 - Mrs. Belleville (The School for Wives) - Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. Her last recorded appearance

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Fitzhenry, Mrs.". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.