The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-24
SONS AND DAUGHTERS.
Second Generation Of Players Coming
Prominently Forward.

Actors by inheritance, as players whose
parents were prominent on the stage are
some tim es called. are numerous enough
in English and Continental theaters, but
until late years have been few in number
in American theaters, at least among
American actors and actresses The con-
oitions and gradations of stock COM
panies abroad precluded newcom ers, ex-
cept in rare cases, from securing foot
holds on favorable terms, whereas the
children OF players had early opportuni-
ties, especially in pantomimes and spec
tacles, and thns obtained q valuable APP
prent iceship which was denied to those
who came from the ranks of amateurs
In this country there has been change
OF late years, and the children OF promi-
nent actors and actresses have been
coming into prominence as the most cur
sorry examination of the New York thea
ter play bills will show. Taking the New
York theatefs at the present time, ii is
seen that one of the most prominent fig
ures in the marked successes is an actor
OF the second generation, so TO peak. At
the Garrick theater, as an instance, John
Drew, whose father was one of the mCSt
distinguished and successful character
delineators of Irish parts, and whose
mother is know to all American theater-
goers from her Mrs. Malaprop, and other
standard parts, is appearing in the
esquire of Danes, and the leading lady
of the company, Maude Adams, is the
daughter of an actress, at one time very
well known on the American stage Not
very far from the Garrick theater Is the
Empire theater, where the leading lady,
Viola Alien, the Mimi of "Bohemia," is
the daughter of very well known Amer
ican actor, and a less well known Ameri-
can actress. &. Leslie Allen, Viola's
father, was for years one OF the best
known and most popular actors in Boston,
and has played frequently in New York
as well. James X. Hackett, who plays
the leading character in the successful
"Prisoner of Zepda," at the Lyceum
theater, is the only son OF James X.
Hackett, the most ilIustrious Falstan of
the American stage, and moreover, Mr..
Hackett Is performing the same charac-
ter which was presented with success at
the earlier production of "Tne Prisoner
OF Zenda, "sat tire Lyceum by Mr.. Soth.
ern, the son of the ever-celebrated "Dun-
dreary.n At the American theater,
Aubrey Boucicault, has teen performing
some OF the characters in plays of his
father, Dion Boucicault, Mr.. Bellew, who
has been acting st Daly's as Romeo in the
revival OF "Romeo and Juliet" is son
OF the distinguished J. NJ. Bellew,
who made a professional tour OF the
United States AS reader many years ago.
Minnie Msddern Fiske is the daughter of
a distinguished American manager who
had closer connection with the foot
lights in the early years OF his life than
even the box Office. Her mother was
Mary Maddern, an actress.
These names 40 not exhaust the long
list. There are also }. *. Emmett, the
son Of the popular Fritz; Henry Il. ham
frau, son OF the orig inal Nose and the later
Kit; Alexander Sslvini, whose fathers
performance of the role OF Othello will al
ways be valued memory among New
York theatergoers, and EdwinsF. Mayo,
son of Frank Mayo. Creston Clarke, Mr..
Booths nephew, whose perfor mances in
tragedies in other cities have brought him
notice, is the son of John 5. Clarke,
better known in Philadelphia than in
New York. The Hollands, who appear
ed earlier in the season in "a Social
Highwayman" at the Garrick Theater,
are sons OF the popular New York come
dian, George Holland, and no intelligent
and appreciative New York theatergoer
needs TO be reminded that Fanny Daven-
port. who has taken of late years Sar-
dou's pays exclusively, IS daughter of
T.. l.. Davenport, the distinguished
American deiineator of that diversified
galaxy OF parts which included Hamlet,
Bill Sykes, William in "Biacs-eyed SUI
san," Sir Giles Overreach, and Don Cae-
sal. Three American light operatic per-
formances of the farce-comcdy variety,
recently presented, had as comedians IN
each case the son OF prominent Ameri-
can actor Marx Smith, the son OF Mark
Smith, in ''1492," Willie Collier, son of
Il. X. Collier, in "Little Christopher, T"
and George &C. Bonif ace, Jr., con OF
George G. Boniface, the original David
Garrick In this country, in "Madeline. T"
Efiie Ellsler. the original Hazel kirks, Is
the daughter of John A. Ellsler, the
former Cleveland manager and actor.
George Fawcett, who appeared in "Blue
Jeans" during its long run at the Four
teenth Street Theater, is a son of Owen
Fawcctt. Jennie Yeamans, who playe d
the opposite female part of June, is the
daughter Of Mrs. Annie Yeamans (her
father, too, was an actor), and X. f..
Cotton Is likewise the son of an actor.
Richard Mansfield comes TO his abilities
by inheritance, Walter Damrosch has in
herited his ability as an orchestra leader
and composer from his father and Joseph
jefferson, IL need hardly be added, /, not
the second but the third of that name
distinguished upon the stage.