Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-12
New National Theater.

The New National announces as the at
traction for one week beginning Monday
next Cecilia LOTUS. who. under the man
agement of Daniel Frohman. will appear In
a rev four-act comedy. THE Serdo-Comic
Governess." This was written for Miss
LOTUS by Israel Zangwill. and comes to
Washington after a run of several weeks
at the New Lyceum Theater. New York.
There will be matinee on Saturday. Three
years ago Cecilia LOTUS then known as
"Cissy." accepted an engagement with MT.
Frohman to become a member of his STOCK
company when ii was at Days Theater
She had for some years been prominent
vaudeville artist. but she was anxious to
become a legitimate actress. Abandoning
vaudeville she played great variety OF
parts in great variety of plays. She was
in comic opera for a short time and played
ar important character in one of Mod
jeska's productions. But her first real op-
portunity came when she became associated
with the Frohman management Though
she was paid what was regarded then. and
Is regarded now. large and most unusual
figure. for giving her famous limitations
twice daily in the vaudeville houses, she
gave up these earnings in order to fit her
self for the legitimat tie field. Miss LOTUS
developed so well in the stock company
that her manager placed her in the position
Of leading woman with Mr.. Sothern, with
whom she appeared for two seasons. Then
Sir Henry Irving engaged her as his leading
lsdy and she played with that great actor
a. the Lyceum Theater. London, as Mar
guerte in Faust" to Irving's Mephisto.
This year Mr.. Frohman advanced Miss
Lotus to the rank of an individual star.
She has striven earnestly to attain this
honor. and as a reward. undoubtedly justi-
fed. she will now earn much as she used
to earn in vaudeville. Mr.. Frohman is so
confident of Miss LOTUS continued success
that recently he made a new contract with
her by which she will appear under his d.
rection for the next three years 1t was at
his request that Mr.. Zangwill wrote The
Serio-Comic Governess." it being based
upon one of the authors short stories OF
the same name. After the opening night OF
the play in New York it was found that
several alterations and revisions were need
ed and for this purpose Mr.. Zangwill came
to this country. AS result of his supple
mentary work on The Serio-Comfc Cover
ness WaShngtonians will see virtually
new play at the National. Not only the
title role. but several of the other important
characters have been greatly changed add
ing materially to the strength and dra,
matte value of the comedy. 1t is likely that
the author will be present for the opening
performance in this city. Miss Lotus
plays a dual role-a governess. Eileen
O'Keefe. by day, and Nelly O'Neill queen
Of the music halls. by night. She plays
the contrasting characters admirably de-
picting Eileen, reserved young woman in
black with pale studious face, smooth
raven tresses. Il soft melodious voice, and a
distinct leaning toward piety, and Nelly
@ Neill. beauty, conscious of her charms.
a creature of physical enchantment, pull
sating with energy. bold or modest as &C.
casion demands Miss LOTUS will have the
advantage of a strong supporting company
of thirty-five players. including among
others II. Reeves-Smith. George S.
Spencer. Herbert Standing, Emmett Shack
Julia Dean. Nellie Butler and Rose Hub
bard.