Sarah Siddons
In 1774, Siddons had her first success as Belvidera in Thomas Otway's Venice Preserved. Because of this role, David Garrick noticed her. Garrick later sent someone to see her act as Calista in Thomas Rowe's Fair Penitent. After this, she was engaged to appear at Drury Lane. She was inexperienced. Because of this, and other factors, her first appearances as Portia in the play The Merchant of Venice and in other parts were not well received. She received a note from the manager of Drury Lane saying that her services would not be required. She was, in her own words :