Jane Rogers (17th-century actress)

Jane Rogers (died 1718) was an English stage actress. To distinguish her from her daughter she is sometimes referred to as Jane Rogers the Elder.

She first appeared at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1692 in Thomas Shadwell's The Volunteers. Following the split of the United Company in 1695, she remained at Drury Lane with Christopher Rich's company rather than join the breakaways under Thomas Betterton. She benefited from the departed of Anne Bracegirdle with whom she had been competing for roles and became one of the leading members of the company.[1]

Sometimes in the 1690s she gave birth to Jane Rogers reportedly following a liaison with fellow actor Robert Wilks. Her daughter later became an actress as part of the Lincoln's Inn Fields company, where she married Christopher Bullock and was consequently known by his surname.[2]

The elder Rogers continued at Drury Lane until 1706, when she switched to the new Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket.[3] She then returned to Drury Lane where she stayed, apart from another season spent at the Haymarket until 1714, although she was increasingly in dispute with the company and found several of her roles given to Anne Oldfield. She was then recruited by John Rich for the revived Lincoln's Inn Fields, where her daughter began acting shortly afterwards. The elder Rogers remained with the company until her death in November 1718.[4]

Selected roles

References
  1. Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.68-69
  2. Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.400-1
  3. Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.69-70
  4. Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.71

Bibliography
  • Highfill, Philip H, Burnim, Kalman A. & Langhans, Edward A. A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers, and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660-1800: Volume 13. SIU Press, 1991.
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