The Actress beyond the Stage

Abstract

The second half of the 18th century was a period of consolidation for theatrical activity in Portugal, punctuated by some moments of growth and others of crisis. It’s a dynamic phase, marked by the multiplication of theatrical venues in the capital and the rest of the country, where businessmen and theatregoers set out to form companies and dramatic societies, rent and sublet theatres, hire companies or individual actors, among many other adjustments necessary for theatrical life, from which, at first glance, women seem to be excluded, being present only as performers (actresses, dancers or singers). In this communication we will explore other professional facets of female theatre performers through a careful analysis of contracts that tell us about their working conditions as actresses, but also about the roles of responsibility they assumed in the societies they belonged to, revealing other skills of women in the theatrical dynamics of the 18th century. In addition to the contracts, other documents will be called upon, such as press reports and theatre regulations, which will help answer the following questions: what were the general conditions of the acting profession for women? What degrees of increased responsibility could be asked of them? What were the dynamics of theatrical activity that enabled and encouraged different contracts? What role did women play in establishing their own contracts? Which women stood out in the theatre, beyond acting, and what was their career? By answering these questions, we aim to deepen our knowledge of theatrical activity and contribute to the appreciation of female theatre professionals in the second half of the 18th century.