Mrs Powell


Jane Powell or Mrs Powell was a British actress. She was also known as Mrs Renaud and Mrs Farmer.

Life

Powell made her debut as Alicia in "Jane Shore" to mixed reviews in 1787, but her name was uncreditted. She came to notice when she appeared at the Haymarket Theatre in the 1780s under the name of "Mrs Farmer" or "Mrs Palmer" as the papers failed to agree.
She is thought to be the first woman to take the title role of Hamlet in London in 1796 when she appeared at Drury Lane. She then took the role of Edmunda in Vortigern and Rowena after Sarah Siddons refused the role. The newly discovered play that was said to be by Shakespeare proved to be a forgery.
Mrs Powell had a benefit at Drury Lane on 2 May 1795 when she played Young Norval. This role was recorded in Norval's death scene from Act V in a painting by Samuel De Wilde. Samuel De Wilde had made a painting of her as Mary Queen of Scots and another of her as Boadicea. However the Garrick Club who own the paintings say that she never appeared in those roles in London.
Up to 1811 she was a regular at Drury Lane Theatre until she moved her allegiance to the Covent Garden Theatre. In 1812 her husband died and the following year she married John James Renaud and became Mrs Renaud. In 1814 the marriage was over but she kept the new name.
In 1818 she moved to Edinburgh when she enjoyed being cast in leading productions.
Powell died in London at the end of 1831. It was said that she was still being pain two pounds a week by her manager in Edinburgh.