Triumphant Women at Smallhythe Place

This was part of our 2018 exhibition and has now finished. Smallhythe Place celebrates the centenary of the Representation of the People's Act with our new exhibition and displays, part of the National Trust's Women and Power programme. 'Triumphant Women' opens on 5 April 2018 and explores the lives and works of the powerful women of Smallhythe, Edy Craig and Ellen Terry.

Ellen Terry and Edy Craig at Smallhythe Place
Ellen Terry in her role as Queen Katherine
Ellen Terry's annotated lectures of Shakespeare's 'Triumphant Women'
Edith Craig as Rosa Bonheur in 'Pageant of Great Women' (1909)

Triumphant Women - A curator's take from behind the scenes 

Our House Steward, Susannah Mayor, reveals the importance of our 2018 'Triumphant Women' exhibition.

Ellen Terry, independence and suffrage at Smallhythe Place 

Ellen Terry (1847 - 1928) was a strong, accomplished, hard working and opinionated woman. Her career as an actress gave her the tools to survive independently.

The 1900s, the suffragettes and the Shakespeare lectures at Smallhythe Place 

The original lectures of Ellen Terry explore Shakespeare's powerful female protagonists.

Edy Craig and the ‘Pageant of Great Women’ at Smallhythe Place 

Smallhythe Place explores Edy's involvement in the suffrage movement, and the idea behind 'Pageant of Great Women'.

Ellen Terry and Edy Craig at Smallhythe Place

The celebratory exhibitions at Smallhythe Place 

New exhibitions, Edy Craig: Women, Suffrage and the Theatre and The Shakespearean Lectures of Ellen Terry will be on display at Smallhythe Place celebrating the women of Smallhythe in the Suffrage movement.

The seventeenth century Barn Theatre at Smallhythe Place

Suffrage on Stage at Smallhythe Place 

As 2018 marks one hundred years since the Representation of the People's Act, The Barn Theatre at Smallhythe Place is hosting commemorative and celebratory events as part of our Women and Power programme.

Banner, white woven cotton ground, bearing the motto 'VOTES FOR WOMEN'

'Votes for Women' - The Suffragette Banners at Smallhythe Place 

Discover the Suffragette banners on display from 5 April 2018 at Smallhythe Place, part of our 'Triumphant Women' exhibition. Designed by Theatre and Scenic designer Dave Brind.

Christabel Pankhurst in a suffragette procession, 1911
Performer Deborah Clair as suffragette Emily Davison in 'A Necessary Woman'
Emmeline Pankhurst speaking at a Women's Social & Political Union (WSPU) meeting, 1912.

Performing Suffrage: Theatre, actresses and activism at Smallhythe Place 

On Saturday 9 June 2018, Dr Naomi Paxton will be giving a talk in the Barn Theatre exploring the work and legacy of the suffragist performers in the Actresses’ Franchise League.

A Necessary Woman at Smallhythe Place 

On Sunday 10 June, we commemorate suffragette Emily Davison with a celebratory performance by Clair/Obscur Theatre company.

When The Cat's Away at Smallhythe Place 

A witty drama with song, is inspired by the reality of the Suffragettes struggle and commemorates the centenary of women finally achieving the vote in 1918.