Anaïs Fargueil

Anaïs Fargueil (1819-1896) was born in Toulouse, in a family of comedians and musicians. She had her first part when she was four years old, as Red Riding Hood, on the stage of the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux where her father was a prominent comedian.

Francisque Sarcey, who saw her in Delilah before he even became a dramatic critic, wrote about this performance:

Miss Fargueil has in her bearing, face, movements, voice, whole person and talent many traits of the fine lady, but with a certain something that is bolder, more provoking, cockier, and sharper. Words come hissing from her lips and hit their target with a short, dry sound. In her clear and sharp pronunciation lingers a hint of the guttural Parisian, which adds to the mockery of her intonations.

Delilah is a play by Octave Feuillet, adapted from the novel of the same name.