Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-12-26
Plays and Players

Mrs, annie u, Florence, WIDOW %
the comedian, William }. Florence
who Is now critically III, was n ol
the best known women In the Older
theatrical school She ~ now ~ years
old. Mrs. Florence was u Miss NAL
VIVA Pray, and with her two sisters
formed a ballet combination. All
three sisters married actors, Annie,
who became the wife Of Florence In
1851, married him when she was
the widow Of Joseph Littell. With
Ar. Florence she acted In light come.
dy for years, sharing honors with her
husband In such plays as the Tick.
ct OF Leave Man." "Dombey and Son"
and Facts" Mrs, Florence's great.
est hit was al Mrs, Gilglory In "The
Almighty Dollar"
When BILLY" Florence died In No.
vember, 1891, II was found that he left
an estate Of 100000. She was at
that time In Europe, and hurried home
10 lind that she had been made her
husbands sole legatee. The will was
contested by a brother OF the dead
comedian, who was chief Of the New
York police force. Mrs. Florence won.
In 1898 she was married to Howard
v. Conenay, many years her junior,
Later they separated and she resum.
ed the name Of Florence.
Cyril Maude, the celebrated charac.
ter actor, who has signed contracts
to appear at the Waldorf theatre. New
York, under the management Of the
Shuberts. IL not altogether unknown
In America. 1t IL true he never has
toured here as a star. but he gained
his early stage training on this side
Of the Atlantic, When he was u
youngster his rowing instincts took
him from home. He was wandering
through the States when his funds
gave out. Having recourse to a tai.
ent he had used hitherto Az an anna.
teur, he sought employment AZ an &C.
tor, and In a short time was u mem.
Der Of a company managed by the
veteran Daniel Bandmann, who died
a short while ago In the far west.
Maude returned to England about
twenty years ago, and within four
years Of his return he had gained a
foothold In London. His rise since
then has been rapid. Mr.. Maude has
had the assistance OF his wife. Miss
Wiuifred Emery. is most of the plays
In which he has appeared since he be.
came a manager, and se IL to accom-
pany him on his forthcoming tour Of
America. They will appear In plays
by James Barrie, Henry Arthur Jones'
and c. M. 8. Mcclellan.
It Is reported that Annie Irish has
left the stage forever. Miss Irish.
who In private life is Mrs. J. r. Dod-
son, Is to return to London. and will.
30 she says. devote the remainder OF
her life to writing.
j. M. Barrie, the famous novelist
and playwright. Is expected to arrive
In New York shortly to witness the
Adams production Of Peter
Pan"
without any particular ceremony
veteran Joseph Murphy Is to bid fare
well to the stage this week. He 10
seventy-one years old and II consid-
cred the richest actor in America. his
exceeding : million dollars.
The Liebler company has not lost
In THE PrOdigal Son." and II
resumed its tour In Hartford on
day. Edwin Arden has tak.
en- Edward Morgan's old part.
] George w. Lederer Il said to be 1t
work on Z musical comedy entitled
1.-THE Salvation LAssie."
Edith Wharton. the novelist, y con.
sidering offers to dramatise her nov.
el, The House Of Mirth."