Ann Street Barry

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File:Lady-molineux Anne Street Barry.jpg

Lady Molineux as played by Anne Street Barry

Ann Street Barry aka Ann Dancer later Ann Crawford (1734<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> – 29 November 1801), was a British singer, dancer and stage actress.

Life

Barry was born in Bath, England, to an apothecary named James Street. Her brother, William Street, later became the Mayor of Bath in 1784 and died in office.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She began her acting career with her first husband, William Dancer,<ref>Marriage Bedminster, Somerset on 17 March 1754</ref> with her first known performance in 1758 as Cordelia in King Lear.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Lear was played by Spranger Barry in the same play and the two began an affair. Barry's then-husband William Dancer died in 1759, allowing the couple to continue their relationship and later marry in 1768.

In 1759 she appeared in Dublin,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> where she played a number of leading roles to limited success. At some point during the following nine years, she moved to London with Spranger Barry and performed at Drury Lane. Her performances at Drury Lane were well received and raised her reputation as an actress.

Barry left Drury Lane for Covent Garden, where she continued to perform with her second husband. After his death, she remained at Covent Garden and later remarried, first billed under her new married name of Mrs Crawford in 1778.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Her last known appearance was as Lady Randolph in John Home's Douglas in 1798. Her portrayal of Lady Randolph and Desdemona were credited as her greatest roles, with one contemporary actress (Sarah Siddons) writing a letter in which she describes her fear of Barry's skill.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Barry married again to a barrister and actor and became Ann Crawford. However she was buried with Spranger Barry in Westminster Abbey following her death in 1801.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>