Sweet Canadian Girls Abroad

This book documents the lives of Canadian actresses from the 1870s to the 1940s, highlighting their impact on theatre and culture internationally in Sweet Canadian Girls Abroad.

Taking a feminist collective biography approach, Sweet Canadian Girls Abroad explores the lives of Canadian women who pursued careers as professional actresses from the 1870s to the 1940s. These women not only performed in Canada but also made significant contributions to theatrical scenes across the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Their involvement in these international networks was crucial in shaping transnational middle-class culture during a transformative period in history.

By the late nineteenth century, a new wave of Canadian actresses emerged, breaking barriers and establishing themselves in a predominantly male-dominated industry. Sweet Canadian Girls Abroad highlights the journeys of these remarkable women, detailing their childhoods, work experiences, and the challenges they faced while touring and managing theatrical companies. Cecilia Morgan delves into their lives, showcasing how they navigated the complexities of race, empire, and identity within the context of popular culture.

Morgan's extensive research brings to light the stories of actresses like Margaret Bannerman, Beatrice Lillie, and Julia Arthur, among others. By examining their careers, Sweet Canadian Girls Abroad demonstrates how these women transformed their craft into a profession while adapting to the evolving landscape of theatre. This book not only preserves the legacies of these forgotten actresses but also emphasizes the significance of theatre in understanding Canadian women's history and its place in a global context.