Mary Ann Yates

Mary Ann Yates (* 1728 in Birmingham, † 1787 in London) was a British actress and dancer.

Mary Ann Graham in 1728 in Birmingham, the daughter of the ship's steward William Graham ( † 1779) and his wife Mary ( † 1777) was born. The name Yates took as second wife of comedian Richard Yates.

A first stage appearance in 1753 in Dublin flopped in a production of Thomas Sheridan. Director and Press said Mary Ann from the aptitude to acting because of over weight and weak voice. Nevertheless, Mrs. Yates reüssierte in the same year in London at the Drury Lane Theatre in the role of Virginia at the David Garrick page. More starring roles followed on Drury Lane in Covent Garden, at the King's Theatre, the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh and other theaters. Mrs. Yates mostly portrayed tragic roles. In a few years, she managed to become the leading tragic actress of the English theater before Sarah Siddons.

In 1775 she appeared as Medea in Richard Glover 's tragedy at Drury Lane Theatre. The artist Philip Loutherbourg had specially designed the sets and costumes.

Mary Ann Yates was notorious for its eccentric performances. In a note to the British library in 1773 the manager of Drury Lane Colman refuses to engage Mrs. Yates on every conceivable price. Mary Ann Yates pleaded open about their bisexuality and presided over an association of lesbian women, the Anandrinic Society.

Numerous portraits of Mary Ann Yates of Francis Cotes, Joshua Reynolds, George Romney, Philip Loutherbourg, William Hogarth and others have survived.