Mrs Rousby in 'Twixt Axe and Crown'

A carte-de-visite portrait of the actress Mrs Rousby (1848-1879), one of the most successful and beautiful actresses of the 1870s. She is seen here as Princess Elizabeth in 'Twixt Axe and Crown by Tom Taylor, an 'historical play' in five acts presented at the Queen's Theatre in 1870.

'Tomorrow night will witness the production, at the Queen's, of Mr Tom Taylor's new historical play "'Twixt Axe and Crown." A large outlay has been made upon fittings, properties, and dresses. Mr and Mrs Wybert Rousby, well known to theatre-goers at Plymouth, Hull, and Jersey, are to have two of the principal parts, and Mrs Rousby's dress alone has cost £50. While writing this play Mr Taylor went to Jersey to see Mr and Mrs Rousby's style of acting. That he was well pleased with it may be gathered from the fact that the success of the piece will be dependent upon their rendering of it' (Cardiff Times, 22 January 1870).

Photographed by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.