The morning call., 1893-05-28
MARY ANDERSON.

In these days, when it is the fashion for
every man or woman who has made social
sensation 10 turn he facl 10 D cunlary account
by appearing upon y ne stage, 1t is refreshing to
recall the history of one actress who has sue
ceeded by personal merit alone
Mary Anderson Is naive daughter OF The
Golden State. having been born at Sacramento
III the yea: 1859. Al an early age however
she moved with her Family IN Kentucky. Mary
is said 10 have been abou: 2 years OF age when
the study of some of Shakespeare's plays first
aroused her enthusiasm for a dramatic career
IL l. recorded that when a young girl she
would stand upon an inverted washub and de-
claim by he half hour, 10 the no small delight
OF the cOlored servants.
Al the age OF 5 Mary Anderson was anxious
10 dlse0v whether she really possessed b
true dramatic ns and for this purpose she
went To Cine cnnaii TO see Charlotte Cushman.
The interview has become historical. Every
one has heard how the great actress. patttng
the Youthful Nary affectioHatey on the cheek,
observed; you have three essentials for
dramatic success-voce, personality and ges-
ture."
Ihls encouragement was supplemented by
the advice 10 study for year with good
teacher before making a public appearance.
In following this coussel the late Henry Van
Demon, son of Tie famous actor, was chosen as
Miss Anderson's instructor, but the young ladv
neV took more than ten lessons. Like most
other successful actresses she owes little TO
mere Instruction.
On November 81. 1875, Mary Anderson made
ner hrst pubic appearance at Macauley's The
ait'r. Louisville, in the character OF Juliet.
Even when expei ience had matnred Ter acting
The unfor unate Verona heroine was never con-
sldered one OF Miss Anderson's very happy i'm.
presentations, but Notwithstanding this fact her
oeput was successful one, good critics de-
clarlng that she showed great natural talent
In the January following her first appearance
she had regular engagement at the Louisville
theater, playing Evudne, Blanca. Julia and
Juliet. Later she played in st. Louis, New
orleans, Washington and San Francisco Her
first how before a New York audience was made
on November H. 1877, when she Iayed pan
line in the Lady of Lyons" at the Fifth avenue
Theater
Her success In New York was instantaneous
and lasting. For some years she returned
there every season. touring in the meanwhile
through all TIL principal cities OF the Union
Her first professional visit to Europe was
made In 1888, and she fairly took the British
public by storm. Both her beauty and her
siatuesque attitudes were something new and
uncommon. Every one fiocked to see and hear
'ihe polio Belvidere In petiicoats' who could
pose like classical Statue, and whose acting
while not considered inspiiational, was pleas
lug and conscientious.
In August. 1885, Mary Anderson added a
classic touch TO b fame by playing Rosalnd
at Stratford-on-Ay for the b-nefit of tile
Shakespeare Memorial Theater. The procee
OF the performance were devoted to raising the
scnpiured embiems of tragedy and comedy
that now adoru the front of The Memorial Hall.
Her Rosaiind has b en- varfousIy critIcized.
On the whole 1t gave more satisfaction in Eng
land than did her later impersonations of
Hermione and Perdlia In "a Winters Tale"
whereas tho reverse was the case IN America.
ln appearance she realized Lodges description