The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-06

Ssvage's production of the Partisan
drama. Madame X, comes OF an old the
atrical family. She was bred TO the pro-
fession and her first experiences as an
actress were under the tutelage Of Fred
Williams, her uncle. who was stage
manager at the Lyeeum Theater during
the time that Herbert Kelcey and Georgia
cayvan We're the leading people there.
Fritz Williams, who was here with Lew
Fields two weeks ago, is Miss Donnel-
ly's cousin, and Henry V Donnelly. who
was known as one Of the best character
comedians in America was her brother.
Mr.. Donnelly died in New York early in
March. Miss Donnelly's first experiences
We're in the Murray Hill stock company
in New York in which she played all
manner OF roles. from Parthenia TO Lady
Isabel. Later she toured the country in
Candida" and other Shawian plays She
created the leading role in THE Lion and
the Mouse" and was starred by Henry
r. Harris in Daughters of Men" Miss
Donnelly is an accomplished linguist and
speaks fiuently half dozen languages
William Elliott. who achieved the dis
tinetion during the run Of Madame X" in
New York OF being heralded as the most
virile young actor or the American stage, |
and whom Current Literature declared TO
at breakfast" Is an Englishman by birth.
but most OF his stage experience has been
on this side OF the Atlantic. He had
splendid early schooling In the support
OF Richard Mansfield. and played boys
roles in the various plays of Mr.. Mans
fields repertoire. Later he attracted the
attention of David Belasco and was Sc
lected for a role in The Music Master"
which he played with marked success
voG -.
ment with David Warfield, however was
in The Grand Army Man." in which II
was frequently stated that he shared
honors with the star. Mr. Elliott Is not
yet thirty years old and is one OF the
most promising young men of the stage.
He is bachelor. but is shortly TO lead
TO the altar Gussie BelascO the daughter
OF David Belasco, after which starring
tour is one OF the probabilities as he has
had overtures from several leading mana
gers toward this end.
w. II Denny. whose appearance in the
role of Parissard In Madame X" reminds
the audience Of one of Cruikshanks' Illus
tTations OF Dickens, Is an Engiishman by
birth. and has appeared professionally In
nearly every country in the world. He
was born in London, and his first his
trionic efforts were in comic opera He
was a member OF the original Gilbert &
Sullivan company at the Savoy Theater.
London, and was in the original cast OF
several of the most famous operas, in
Guiding THE Mikado." ''The Woman OF
the Guard" and THE Gondoliers." In
the latter piece he appeared over 600
times. Mr.. Denny has supported such
famous stars Sir Henry Irving, John
Hare George Alexander. and Beerbohm
Tree. one of his performances here
which viii be remembered was that of
the hypocritical 1arson in Henry Arthur
Jones The Hypoerites.H
Robert Patton Gibbs. who is seen as
Noel in Henry ". Savage's production OF
Madame y, is a native OF Virginia, hav-
ing graduated from the State University
He studied law, but never practiced his
profession. as his inclination was toward
the stage, and for more than twenty
years he has been prominent in charcter
roles in the support OF nearly all our
leading stars. One Of his characterize
lions which will be remembered was that
OF Gecko in the original cast Of '@Trilby''
at the Garden Theateg, %aw York. He
played this part for nearly four years.
Though he comes of one of the first fam
lies OF Virginia. he is usually mistaken
for a Frenchman.
Born IN New York and educated with
view OF becoming a school teacher. Elsie
Ferguson. who is now recognized star,
got her first engagement when the late
Sam shubert asked her If she wished to
go on the stage, and she answered yes
because II came so suddenly she could
think Of nothing else. She had gone 10
his office in company with another girl
who was trying 10 get an engagement
and had no idea that such an opportunity
was about 10 present itself. She was as
signed to the chorus of THE Belle OF
New York" which. in a season Of forty
two weeks. took her everywhere but New
York. She appeared also in several other
musical comedies Her first appearance
in the legitimate drama was in the farce
from the French, The Two Schools" In
which piece she played every female part
before leaving the company. Three sea-
sons ago she had an important part with
Kyrle Bellew in "Brigadier Gerard" fol-
lowing which trip TO London resulted in
ah engagement with Cyril Maude, who
was just then producing THE Earl of
PaWtucket' William A. Brady happened
10 see her during one OF these perform
ances. and after an interview she imme-
diately started back TO New York 10
originate the role of Greeba with Wilton
Lackaye in THE Bondman." Season be-
fore last Miss Ferguson was leading
woman for Edgar SeIwyn in Pierre of
the Palms. then seen In 1.-THE Battle"
and played at the Gayety Theater, New
York. and the Illinois Theater. Chicago
in James Forbes comedy. THE Travel
ing Salesman" Last year Henry B. Har-
ris promised 10 feature her in Charming
Pollocks Such ? Little Queen" but so
well did the public Ike her work and so
deeply impressed We're the critics that
Mr.. Harris promoted her 10 stardom.
This year Miss Ferguson is assuming an
emotional role in new play by Byron
Ongley entitled Ambition"
Included in Elsie Ferguson's support
ing company this season are the sons of
two illustTious actors, who in their day
were known 10 every theatergoer. Stuart
Robson, jr., and William Harrigan are
the two young men In question. The for
ner IS the only son Of the late lamented
stuart Robson, whose success was
achieved in such plays as THE Henri
eta" and The Comedy Of Errors" The
latter inherited his histrionism from Ed
ward Harrigan, who is best remembered
~ the older generation OF theatergOers
for his ''Mulligan Guards Be.l'' and "Od
Lavender" Young Robson will celebrate
his eighteenth birthday next January, but
II appearance he looks even younger. In