from
Emma Camden:
Jennie Quigley was born in Glasgow, Scotland
around 1853. She joined
the Liliputian Opera Company in America, after studying singing and
acting, and adopted the title, “Scottish Queen.” As a performer,
Jennie
toured Europe and appeared before Queen Victoria and several other
crowned heads of state. Her mother, Jane, was her constant companion
and chaperone. The stage was her lifelong love. When she wasn't
traveling, Chicago was her home.
There are differing reports about her size. One of her original
cartes-de-visites, gives her measurements as 28 inches, and 32
pounds, but I have also read that she grew to be 34 inches and 36
pounds. Regardless of her size, she was often described as an
attractive and graceful young woman, and was highly praised by critics
for her talents.
Jennie was sometimes given starring roles, such as Pocahontas and
Cinderella, but would also frequently introduce the “specialties"
during intermission. These specials were designed to enhance the
overall production - they varied from singing and dancing, to more
elaborate entertainment with special effects. Jennie would be paired
off with another star, such as Colonel Speck, Commodore Foote or
Admiral Dot, and together they would sing duets, dance, and 'flirt'
on
stage to amuse the audience before the main production resumed. This
flirting sometimes continued off stage, and after Jennie's death it
was
learned that she and Commodore Foote were sweethearts.
Whenever she could, Jennie would make a grand entrance on stage in her
miniature Brougham carriage, pulled by a shetland pony. A royal
coachman would open the door, bow with reverence, and assist Jennie
as
she regally stepped down to the stage floor.
