Show women on the stage women appeared on the stage in italy and france early in the six century A contract is still ex tant of the first known french actress dated 1545 her name was marie I 1 aaret she engaged herself for a year to play ancient pieces from rome or other stories farces or acrobatics before the public wherever it may please L Esperon the manager in compensation she was to have board and lodging besides 12 francs a year any extra present she might receive from an admiring audience she was bound by the contract to share with the manager managers s wife |