Rediscovering Kitty Clive: A Forgotten Theatrical Giant

Kitty Clive, an 18th-century English actress, made history in 1743 when she became the first woman to be engaged by composer Handel to lead his oratorio compositions. Her illustrious career spanned 22 years, during which she played 184 theatre roles, but a scandalous defamation by her male colleagues led to her downfall and subsequent erasure from historical records. Now, the musical collective Apollo's Cabinet is set to revive Clive's remarkable story with their album and 11-date UK concert tour, featuring English theatre music of the time and arias she would have performed herself.

Key Takeaways:

• Apollo's Cabinet is a musical collective that brings historical performance to modern audiences with a mix of acting, dancing, poetry, and drama.
• The group has won numerous awards, including the Royal Overseas League Mixed Ensemble prize, Utrecht Oude Muziek Competition, and the Göttingen International Händel Competition.
• Clive's career was marked by a signature blend of comedic and dramatic roles, showcasing her exceptional range as an actress and singer.
• She was defamed by male colleagues, losing her popularity and being subsequently forgotten by historians.
• Apollo's Cabinet will feature soprano Lauren Lodge-Campbell, along with theorbo, Baroque guitar, viola da gamba, harpsichord, recorder, flute, and soprano vocalist.
• Clive's work with Handel in the 1740s cemented her status as a top-paid player at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Statistics:

• 184 theatre roles played by Kitty Clive over 22 years.
• 11-date UK concert tour by Apollo's Cabinet to revive Clive's story and feature English theatre music of the time.
• 7.15pm start time for the concert at The Hub at St Mary's on Tuesday, 15 July.
• Lichfield Festival is the host for the concert, with tickets available from lichfieldfestival.org or 01543 306271 (call-back service).

Sources:

• Fiona Fraser article on the Lichfield Festival website.
• Apollo's Cabinet website and social media profiles.
• Lichfield Festival website and ticket information.
• The Hub at St Mary's website and event calendar.