The Washington herald., 1910-10-16

=
how few achieve their hearts fondest
wish. Therefore a brief biographical sketch
OF an actress who has made name for
herself and thrilled big audiences all over
the country should prove OF more or less
interest 10 the public. With this idea in
mind we present the following life-sketch
OF Miss Fernando Eliseu, the eminent
young Roumanian actress who comes to
the Columbia Theater tomorrow night as
leading woman IN Charles Klein's great
dramatic success. 1.-The Third Degree"
Fernando Elisou was born In the quaint
little village OF Jassi Roumania. April
"a. 1883. Her birthplace and home was
next door 10 the theater, and even In
those days. until the age OF eight years,
when her parents emigrated to this
country. bringing her with them, she had
visions OF one day capturing the coveted
plum Of theatrical success.
Upon arriving In America she entered
the public school in New York and learn
ed rapidly, the English language more
especially than anything else appealing
to her as the prime essential, because IN
her young mind she already had a career
upon the American stage mapped out
Eventually, Of course, she graduated from
the high school and 1t must be said with
highest honOrs. It was in 1898 that she
won a quasi scholarship In the Sargent
School OF Acting which entitledFher to
two lessons a week. The directors OF the
school were so impressed with her per-
sonality and general knowledge and I'M
derstanding that they gave her a chance
4
as understudv, and in this way she earn
ed enough to pay her tuition and take
the entire course. When she graduated
two years later she was the winner OF
the grand prize-the Belasco gold medal
Her first professional engagement was
with Maude Adams in 1.-THE Little Min
ister," when Robert Edeson was Miss
Adams leading man.
After her season with Miss Adams came
a season $500 with Grace George as Lisa
IN Her Majesty" and playing Miss
Georges role at matinees. The season
OF ls0l-oe saw her with James X. Hack
EFT In Don Caesars Return" the next
year she played with d R Ryan In a
Royal Love" and l903-O4 was devoted 10
a starring tour in Romeo and Juliet
the titular role of Martha OF the Low
lands" The play. incidentally. she saws
she adores. and she came 70 the Pacific
Coast. too, that year with Mrs. Fiske in
Leah Kleschna" On her return 10
New York she replaced Nine Kalich In
the New York Yiddish theater. and was
stock star, appearing In Martha OF the
Lowlands. Sisters, why Men Love"
''Fania." Her Past" and other PLAYS.
During the season of 1908 she starred IN
Her Past" rechristened Ruth" sup
ported by Edwin Arden. At the close OF
this season she again appeared as stock
star in New York. and in the circles
bounded by the Yiddish stage she made
tremendous success, equaIing that Of
Bertha Kalich She played the role OF
Hamlet, originated a crazy boy char
acter in a Russian Hebrew drama. but
drew the line at Romeo
Last season Miss Eliscu was leading
woman with Arnold DAILY. This season
she Is the star OF Charles Klein's strange
and powerful drama, The Third De-
gree" a position which she won by her
wonderful personality and exquisite act
ing, because. as is well known, Henry B. /
Harris. the owner OF the company and |
play, does not star anybody in such big /
plays as The Lion and the Mouse" and /
The Third Degree" Truly. Miss Eliscu |
is said 10 have registered a success IN |
the role OF the heroine that is little short |
Of marvellous.
Beginning his theatrical experience as !
a play reader, Charles Klein has always /
desired certain things, which, when the |
time came and he could crafty his wish. !
he procured. His home at Rowayton, |
Conn, which Is named Shirley Manor. |
after the famous female character in /
The Lion and the Mouse Is furnished /
magnihcently and yet In good taste. The !
library is one of the most complete OF its |
kind IN the world. dealing 10 great ex- |
tent with matters theatrical Mr. Klen's |
favorite diversion is yachting. being the /
owner OF a large steam yacht, which is /
the flagship OF the Rowayton Yacht Club. /
He is also commodore Of the feet.
Ada Lewis, who appears with Lew |
Fields in his production OF The Summer
Widowers." says that she seems destined |
10 enter that class made distinct by nu-
merous theatrical celebrities such as Jo-
seph jefferson. whom the public always |
wanted as RIP Van Winl<le;" Denman /
Thompson, who can't break away from
Joshua Whitcomb, of "The Old Home
stead; the late Stuart Robson. who
playgoers will always remember as Ber-
tie, the Lamb. In THE Henrietta" and
James ONeil, as the Count Of Monte
Cristo. Ada Lewis, born In San Francis
co thirty years ago, came TO New York
a struggling aspIrant for theatrical fame.
Almost starving for lack Of employment.
she obtained a position with Edward
Harrigan at SIS a week, IN "Riley and
the Four Hundred" One day Mr.. Harri-
gan. at rehearsal. conceived the eharac-
ter OF tough girl, and having no ac-
tress in mind at the time. asked Miss
Lewis 10 essay the role. She did So and
at the initial performance scored the big
gest hit OF a big success. Since then Miss
Lewis has been known as the tough girl,
although in private life she is one Of the
best and dearest OF women.
She has scored many a success IN other
plays and has starred at the head of her
own company. Last season she Joined
Mr.. Fields In "Old Dutch" and this year
she plays with The Summer Widowers,
d role peculiarly suited 10 her peculiar
talents-that OF Mrs Guinlvere McQuirk,
"once widowed. twice divorced, but stiH
hopeful
Willis p. Sweatman, who appears with
Lew Fields in his production of The
Summer Widowers' at the Belasco this
week, is perhaps the best known delinea-