Augustine Duverger

A carte-de-visite portrait of Augustine Duverger, a French actress who appeared in London in the spring of 1860 in a rotating series of French plays at the St James's Theatre under the management of Adrien Talexy.

She is first mentioned in an advertisement in the Atlas on 28 April 1860, which describes her as a 'Premier Sujet du Théâtre de la Gaîté.' According to an advertisement in the Morning Post the following month (21 May 1860): 'M. Adrien Talexy has issued a very tempting programme of French plays which are shortly to be given at this theatre. We are promised Doche, Fix, Page, Duverger, Goz, Brindeau, and many other favourites of the Parisian public whose name and fame are familiar to English ears. The répertoire consists of some 50 of the newest French pieces, many of which have been noted as great successes in our Paris correspondence.'

A review of Octave Feuillet's Le Cheveu Blanc praised her performance, noting that she 'brought out the coquettishness of the part with the greatest effect' (London Evening Standard, 29 May 1860). Reviewing the same play, the Morning Post (31 May 1860) said she played 'not only with grace, spirit, and naïveté, but also with occasional touches of gentle sorrow and feminine tenderness, which complete the charm of her performance.' On 16 June 1860 the Yorkshire Gazette reported that 'The French plays at St James's Theatre prove very attractive, and Mdlle Duverger is reaping plenty of popularity (let us hope also of profit) by this first visit to la perfide Albion. The most attractive pieces hitherto produced have been Octave Feuillet's lively little drama "Le Cheven [sic] Blanc," and a comedy, "La Tentation," by the same author.' She finally took leave 'of an enthusiastic English audience' on 27 June 1860 (The Atlas, 30 June 1860).

Photographed in the spring of 1860 by Camille Silvy of London.