Beata Sabina Straas

Straas is reported to have been hired on 25 May 1737, and she was not only the first known actress to originate from Sweden, but also the first actor regardless of gender from this first native troupe whose name is mentioned in the documents.

Wijkman is believed to have been Magdalena Wickman, former maid at the theatre interested household of Brita Sophia De la Gardie.

Straas played the female main part of Lotta Enterfelt opposite Johan Palmberg and Birger Hildon in the famous play Den Svenska Sprätthöken (The Swedish Fop) by Carl Gyllenborg (known as the first original Swedish language comedy), at the official premiere of the national theatre of Bollhuset.

Count Carl Gustaf Tessin gave the judgement that Straas had a gracious forwardness, dressed well, had beautiful feet and conducted herself better than the German actresses, but worse than the French ones - he adds that she had a natural talent and that her debut had been very successful.

Straas is possibly the grandmother of the famous actress and opera singer Inga Åberg, who became a star at the second national theatre when it opened in 1788, and of the actor Gustav Åbergsson.