Esther Brand (also known as Esther Hamilton, Esther Bland and Esther
Sweeney) (fl. 1745-1772) was a British actress. She was a dramatic
actress, but had a very good sense of humour. She was disliked by
George Anne Bellamy, who nicknamed her "Tripe". She relied on charity
towards the end of her life and was the reason for the founding of the
Drury Lane Theatrical Fund. Brand would marry three times and would
die destitute in London.She debuted on stage at Covent Garden Theatre
on 12 December 1745 playing Queen Isabel in Henry V. She married a
fellow actor with the surname Brand. She performed alongside David
Garrick in 1746 playing Regan in King Lear, Anne Neville in Richard
III, Emilia in Othello, and Dorinda in Strategem.In 1748 she moved to
Dublin where she performed at the Smock Alley Theatre. She returned to
London in 1752 to perform at Covent Garden as Clarinda in Suspicious
Husband. She would perform at Covent Garden for the next ten years. In
1753, she performed as Queen Elizabeth in Earl of Essex. The part was
written for Brand. She returned as Emilia in Othello, once more, in
1754. Her career ended at Covent Garden because new management did not
like her and released her out of her contract early. Her husband, Mr.
Brand, died, and she remarried a Mr. Hamilton. He would take advantage
of her financial security and is accused of having robbed her of 2,000
pounds.
Sweeney) (fl. 1745-1772) was a British actress. She was a dramatic
actress, but had a very good sense of humour. She was disliked by
George Anne Bellamy, who nicknamed her "Tripe". She relied on charity
towards the end of her life and was the reason for the founding of the
Drury Lane Theatrical Fund. Brand would marry three times and would
die destitute in London.She debuted on stage at Covent Garden Theatre
on 12 December 1745 playing Queen Isabel in Henry V. She married a
fellow actor with the surname Brand. She performed alongside David
Garrick in 1746 playing Regan in King Lear, Anne Neville in Richard
III, Emilia in Othello, and Dorinda in Strategem.In 1748 she moved to
Dublin where she performed at the Smock Alley Theatre. She returned to
London in 1752 to perform at Covent Garden as Clarinda in Suspicious
Husband. She would perform at Covent Garden for the next ten years. In
1753, she performed as Queen Elizabeth in Earl of Essex. The part was
written for Brand. She returned as Emilia in Othello, once more, in
1754. Her career ended at Covent Garden because new management did not
like her and released her out of her contract early. Her husband, Mr.
Brand, died, and she remarried a Mr. Hamilton. He would take advantage
of her financial security and is accused of having robbed her of 2,000
pounds.
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