She was known for singing and playing the guitar but in 1778 she was also appearing in The Beggar's Opera as Polly and The Flitch of Bacon as Eliza.

[4] Bannister commanded high salaries of £12 a week and contracts worth "one thousand pounds" whilst also enjoying a genteel reputation.

[2] She was the principal soloist at the Haymarket where she was supported by Margaret Martyr, Giovanna Sestini and Mrs Kennedy, although it was said that they never found a male singer of the same quality of voice and appearance to sing with her.

[2] In 1799 John Russell completed a pastel of her playing her guitar which is in the National Portrait Gallery.

She died a widow on 15 January 1849 at her home in St Giles in Middlesex and was buried with her husband.