As You Like It: Mrs. Pritchard (1711-1768) as Rosalind

First revived in 1740 at Drury Lane.

This wrestling scene (I.ii.215) probably shows Mrs. Pritchard as Rosalind (centre right) and Mrs. Clive (1711-1785) as Celia (behind her). Mrs. Pritchard was unsurpassed in comic roles such as Rosalind and Beatrice, and was famous in scolding parts, so that many thought she excelled as a comedienne rather than a tragic actress. This production was so successful that it was repeated 26 times that season.

Painted by Francis Hayman about 1750. Tate Gallery, courtesy of the Yorck Project, under GNU Free Document License.