Sarah M'Cready
Circa: May 1838
Sarah M’Cready became the Theatre’s manager in 1834 – five years after her husband died, although he’d left the Theatre to her in his will.
Sarah repeatedly faced opposition because she was a woman. The Proprietors reluctantly granted her a lease, but only on a short-term basis which made hiring performers difficult. Her letter to them shows her desire to make repairs, redesign aspects of the Theatre, and her struggle to be granted funds to do so.
Despite their hesitancy and the economic decline of the King Street area, Sarah was a successful manager who kept the Theatre afloat through significant adversity. Newspaper obituaries recalled her "great tact, energy and judgement" and "warm interest in her profession."
