Jane Pope

Miss Pope as Mistress Page by James Roberts – 1788

James Robert’s painting shows the actress Jane Pope as Mistress Page in the Merry Wives of Windsor, a comedy by William Shakespeare. Alongside Mistress Ford, Mistress Page contrives to trick and humiliate Sir John Falstaff. The background to the painting suggests curtains and wings at the side of stage, with a flat, painted backdrop of the Thames and Windsor behind. The basket, full of dirty, smelly laundry, hides the corpulent figure of Falstaff – he will soon be tipped into the river.

Jane Pope’s costume is an excellent example of a flamboyant eighteenth-century version of a historic style. The play might be set in medieval times, but it was inextricably linked with the Elizabethan court, and her costume hints at that later time. The silhouette is unmistakably of current fashion, but with historical details referring to the ‘habits of their time’. She has puffed sleeves slashed and trimmed with bows and lace. The front of her bodice plunges low to a sharp point, and the collar of her chemise is stiffened to suggest a ruff at her neck. Her skirt is pulled back to reveal a white satin underskirt with creases that suggest the boning of a hooped petticoat. Her gauzy apron shimmers in the light, as do the trimmings on her sleeves. The shape of her hat suggests that it is a tricorn, balanced atop her wig. It is an extravagant study in black, white, pink and gold.

Pope first appeared as Mistress Page in 1788 and subsequently played the part several times.

She had become known for playing ‘soubrette’ roles. These were stock female characters, generally seen as vain, girlish, mischievous, light-hearted. The character was often a chambermaid or confident of the ingenue.

She was in the company at Drury Lane for many years, having first appeared with Garrick in 1756 as a young teenager. Her first adult appearance was in 1759 when Garrick took her on as part of his company.  She played Corinna in The Confederacy by John Vanburgh, alongside Kitty Clive who became a mentor and life-long friend to Pope.

Pope never married, living with her unmarried sister. She was engaged to a stockbroker for a short time but broke it off when he made retirement from the stage a condition of the marriage.

In her long career Pope played several new roles to great success. Among others, she was the first to play Miss Sterling in The Clandestine Marriage by Garrick and Colman in 1766, and Mrs Candour in The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, 1777.

Pope retired from the stage in 1808. She was not a great beauty, but was remembered as a natural comic, with a pleasant, lively manner and a dry sense of humour.