New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-11
ADA REU.f.N.

Tho arrival Of Miss Ada Rehan in Newly ork,
after an absence Of more than year. Is IN
iuspir,rng indication that the new dramatic
season is about 10 open and that much pleasur"
Is at hand for those who love the dramatic art.
II will furthermore. prove to many observers
reminder If the sterling achievements Of that
brilliant actress and IN augury Of others that
are yet 10 come The name OF Ada Rctan NJ
This moment unqucstonahly Is the brightest and
the most auspic.ous upon the roll ~ American
actresses No other American actress Of this
period has shown herself possessed in an equal
degree ~ personal distinction. intellectual char
acicr. technical equipment, versatility. and tho
power 10 charm. Many others are adj" and ac-
complshcd each in special field. Miss K"han
j. unique distinctive and prc-cminent,-for Sh"
has succeeded in every line excepting that Of
high tragedy. which rs yet sh" does not attempt.
and she ranges with ease from the Joyous lcyty
81 sxubcrant farce 10 the fine ma fluent comedy
81 manners and to the Imagination and sensl-
bllliy ~ the poetic drama. She has acted Tilbu-
rlna with perfect success; s!I" has exec He'd her
contemporaries In Oridla. Julia. and Lady
Tcazlc she has made Shakcspcare's shrcwish
Katherine natural woman which never be-
fore was done In our time; and she has made
completely. perhaps exclusively. her own. Moth.
ing So good as her Viola has been seen since
the best DAYS 81 Adelaide Nelson. ON both
sides OF the ocean her genius has been acknowl-
edged and her powers and her rank allowed.
To think II her. accordingly Is to think OF cX-
ccent works thoroughly well done, OF excep-
iiolial faculties ~ substantial and indisputnble
worth. and Of opul"nt and delightful promise.
II j. also 10 think ~ one who has done honor
to The American name" Far too often The native
dramatic art. mus; look abroad. Many Of the
best performers who have at any time appeared
In this country have been foreigners. It might
prov" difficult io name even Il score Of actors.
~ the first class. who were born. reared. and
trained IN America. Miss Rchan. however. Is
essentially American. She belongs 10 this land
and :, this time She WAS indeed. born In Ire
land: hut she came To Ncw-lork when child.
and here she was reared. here she adopted the
profession Of the stage. and here she has done
her work and gained her rcnown. London may
admire her ever So much; IT does admire her
greatly: but Il cannot ALLEVIATE her laurclS from
the land In which mainly her life has been
passed and her fame established. She IS the
foremost American actress Of the day: The com
Try IL proud OF lliT ana ElIu 10 WPl'oul" NOT.
and the word Of welcome should be- spoken
strongly and from the heart To II considerable
extent the public practice has been 10 honor
with alacrity populations made abroad. while
giving but Il slow assent 10 the merits and
claims of artistic achievement ~ home. Feel
Ing AMI frankneSs. however are as valuable as
reserve and caution. and it might be we'll more
frequently TO allow them free way. With
reference 10 Miss Rchan'S position. al any rate.
there is NJ doubt. and there need BE- no rcti-
ccnce Of prudential comment. She has shown
herself 10 be Il comedy actress Of the first order.
Hy a part % our public she was recognized rs
such before any OF her brilliant successes had
been gained abroad. and by those admirers the
fact that she returns with the signet Of En-
ropcan fame will not now be much considered.
To others II possesses an impressive signiii-
cancr. To all classes her coming Is n pleasure,
and by all her name will be spoken with affec
ton nnd JOY
The riches Of the ship IL come on shore.