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Ellen ('Nellie') Farren

(1848-1904), Actress

Sitter associated with 17 portraits
Nellie Farren was born in Lancashire to a theatrical family. Her grandfather, William Farren, was a well-known actor, and her father, Henry Farren, and uncle, William, were both actors. She was married to actor Robert Soutar, and their son, J. Robert Soutar, also had a career as an actor, singer and stage manager. Farren first appeared on the London stage at the age of seven, at the Victoria Theatre, playing the Genie of the Ring in Dick Whittington. She married Soutar in 1867, and the following year began her long association with the Gaiety Theatre, which lasted until her retirement. Her husband was an actor, stage manager and writer for the theatre.

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Possibly Ellen ('Nellie') Farren, by William Walker & Sons - NPG x17104

Possibly Ellen ('Nellie') Farren

by William Walker & Sons
albumen carte-de-visite, 1862-1866
NPG x17104

'Ladies of the London Stage', after Lock & Whitfield, and  Unknown photographers - NPG x135885

'Ladies of the London Stage'

after Lock & Whitfield, and Unknown photographers
woodburytype, published 1875
NPG x135885

Ellen ('Nellie') Farren, by Unknown photographer, published by  Hardwicke & Bogue - NPG Ax45747

Ellen ('Nellie') Farren

by Unknown photographer, published by Hardwicke & Bogue
woodburytype, published 1879
NPG Ax45747

Nellie Farren; Edward Terry; Kate Vaughan; Edward Royce in 'The Forty Thieves', by Samuel Alexander Walker, published by  Charles Dickens & Evans - NPG Ax35615

Nellie Farren; Edward Terry; Kate Vaughan; Edward Royce in 'The Forty Thieves'

by Samuel Alexander Walker, published by Charles Dickens & Evans
woodburytype, published May 1881
NPG Ax35615

Nellie Farren, Edward Terry, Kate Vaughan and Edward Royce in 'The Forty Thieves', by Samuel Alexander Walker, published by  Charles Dickens & Evans - NPG x9397

Nellie Farren, Edward Terry, Kate Vaughan and Edward Royce in 'The Forty Thieves'

by Samuel Alexander Walker, published by Charles Dickens & Evans
woodburytype, published May 1881
NPG x9397

'Some Leading Actresses: A Group', by W. & D. Downey, published by  Cassell & Company, Ltd - NPG Ax14728

'Some Leading Actresses: A Group'

by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1890
NPG Ax14728

'Some Leading Actresses: A Group', by W. & D. Downey, published by  Cassell & Company, Ltd - NPG x134387

'Some Leading Actresses: A Group'

by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1890
NPG x134387

Ellen ('Nellie') Farren, printed by Stannard & Son, published by  Charles Jefferys - NPG D42781

Ellen ('Nellie') Farren

printed by Stannard & Son, published by Charles Jefferys
chromolithograph, circa 1886
NPG D42781

Web image not currently available

Ellen ('Nellie') Farren

by Unknown photographer
woodburytype, 1870s
NPG x17102

Web image not currently available

Ellen ('Nellie') Farren

by Unknown photographer
woodburytype, 1870s
NPG x17103

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William M. Trent.

12 September 2019, 14:09

Nellie Farren created the role of 'Mercury' in the first Gilbert and Sullivan opera Thespis, or The Gods Grown Old.

The world première was at John Hollingshead's Gaiety Theatre on 26th December 1871.