Marie Steinrud, ‘Performing women: The life and work of actresses in Stockholm, c. 1780–1850’

Women, performing on stage – acting, singing and dancing – became a visible part of theatre life during the eighteenth century. This chapter discusses actresses at the Swedish theatres in Stockholm from around 1780 to 1850, and their lives both on stage and off. Five practising actresses are followed throughout their lives with a microhistorical approach. In public consciousness, the actress became a symbol of depravity, destructivity and irresponsibility. At the same time their popularity increased. They supported themselves financially, acted on stage and claimed space in the public sphere. Paradoxically, they could be both condemned and honoured for this.