The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06
JOIN ELLSLERs PUPILS.


The last time old Mrs Gilbert and Ada
Rehan, who were comrades for so many
years at Dalv's, went 10 the theatre to-
gether. their destination was a playhouse
on the West Side devoted to combinations
Two stars had united in some Shakespear-
ian performance, but neither they moi
the play attracted Mrs. Gilbert and her
colleague. who had gone with her TO the
theatre at her request
They went to see the veteran John Ell
sler. who died last week He was acting
with the company in the engagement that
proved 10 be the last he ever played.
Mrs. Gilbert was one OF the many ac-
tresses whose career had been associ-
ated with the management OF Mr.. Ellsler
in the various theatres he controlled from
time TO time When she and her husband
drifted from Milwaukee to Cleveland
they joined the company that had been
formed by Mr. Ellsler at the Academy
of Music, known previously as Fosters
Varieties. Mrs Gilbert had been en-
gagged as a dancer and to play comedy
parts. Mrs. Ellsler was the leading wo
man for the dramatic roles.
1t happened that Mrs, E'lsler was not
well when on one occasion visiting TRACE
dian Of importance came to Cleveland.
He was to open as Macbeth, but that ap-
peared impossible. as the actress who
played the leading role was iii. Mr.. Ellsler
was confident that Mrs Gilbert, who was
anxious for an opening in some serious
part in Cleveland. could act Lady Macbeth.
So he gave her the part, and she came
81 -, al - u, 81.
evidently not intended for tragedy, IN
spite OF Mr.. Ellslers efforts to start her
in that direction, for later she won fame
only in comedy.
Many other actors who subsequently
became famous were associated with Mr..
Ellsler during his long career. Joseph
Haworth, who died the other day, began
to act AZ a member OF the company at the
Academy of Music Haworth, who was
born in Providence. went to Cleveland
with his parents when he was boy. The
first performance he ever saw was Monte
Cristo," with Clara Norris as Mercedes.
That made him confirmed visitor to the
gallery and dissatisfied him utterly with
his work in a newspaper office. He was
10 before he had q chance to crafty his
ambition to be an actor.
He was allowed to recite AShamus
O'Brlen' at Denent ana, luckily lot MN,
Charlotte Champion, then the Leading
actress at Mr.. Ellsler's, was in the audience
She was impressed by his earnestnees and
talent She offered him the part OF Buck
inqham in performance Of Richard III
Miss Champion became very much inter-
ested In the young man. instructed him
in the rudiments Of his art and presently
got him a permanent engagement at $40
a week He acted at the Academy for
several years, playing with all the leading
stars that came there to act with the stock
company. When he left Cleveland In
1878 to go to the Boston Museum it was
as one OF the most promising young men
Of the profession. Fife Elsler, who began
in her fathers company, acted Opheha
when Mr.. Haworth acted HlmLt as his
farewell to Cleveland.
Clara Morris has told OF henbeginnings
under Mr. Ellsler. Before that time he
had been in the South as manager OF a
company that includ ed a pair Of promising
beginners in Maggie Mitchell, tho SOU
brette, and Joseph Jefferson Both OF
them acted with Mr., Ellsler before either
had won fame and he had established in
Cleveland the theatre destined 10 be the
school for 30 many actors who later became
important.