Ann Maria Bradshaw

Who was Ann Maria Bradshaw?

Ann Maria Bradshaw, was an English actress and vocalist.

Bradshaw was born in London in August 1801. Her maiden name was Tree, and her father, who lived in Lancaster Buildings, St. Martin's Lane, was in the East India House. After a training in the chorus at Drury Lane Theatre, and a short experience in Bath, she appeared in 1818 at Covent Garden Theatre as Rosina in 'The Barber of Seville.' Subsequently she played, principally as a substitute for Miss Foote or Miss Stephens, Patty in 'The Maid of the Mill,' Susannah in 'The Marriage of Figaro,' and other similar characters.

Her first recorded appearance in an original role seems to have been as Princess Stella in the 'Gnome King,' a spectacular piece produced on 6 October 1819 at Covent Garden. On 11 December of the same year she appeared as Luciana in an opera founded by Reynolds on 'The Comedy of Errors.' This led to the series of Shakespearean performances on which her fame rests. In various renderings, musical and otherwise, of Shakespearean comedy, she played with success Ariel, Viola, Imogen, Julia, Ophelia, and Rosalind.