The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-15

himself earnestly into his work and his progress has been perhaps the most meteoric among all the well known English actors. In Dublin he chanced to play the part of George de Lesparre in Dion Boucicault's play. Ted Astray." A local critic who happened to be &C., Quainted with the noted actor-play- wright and thrilled by the young Bel lew's ability and appearance. wrote of him to Boucicault. who was then be- ginning to be the great power in Lon don theatricals. Boucicault offered MT. Bellew a minor position at the Haymarket in London and in three called himself. was announced as the leading man of the Haymarket Stock company under Blackstone. From the Haymarket, MT. Bellew went to the Ly ceum under Henry Irving, where after many successes he was engaged by Marie Litton to become leading man with a particularly fine stock company which she had just formed for the Im- perial. ,t
 It was from this post that Lester Wallack engaged MT. Bellew for the season as leading man at Wallack's s theatre in New York. The talented young actor opened in "Harbor LightS' and for nearly five years of continuous playing he remained as leading man of this world-famed stock company. His personal success with the New York public was immediate, and his vogue grew to such proportions that on the occasion, of his farewell he received a demonstration such as has been accord ed by the New York public to but two other foreign celebrities. Macready and Jennie Lind. The new common phase matinee idol" was coined over Bel lew within a month after his first ap- pearance at Wallack's theatre.
 When Bellew left New York. Mrs. James Brown Potter attached her for tunes to his star. For four years they toured over the greater. part of the world in classic repertoire. This part nership came to an end suddenly at Cape Town, Africa, some 10 years ago, through the. burning of all their seen cry, costumes and effects in the great Royal theatre fire.
 They returned to London, MT. Bellew discouraged by the financial failure of the tour od yearning for the rest that comes from change insone's life, sud- denly disapp cared from the scene of his successes Some six months later he was discovered as a bushman and g gold miner in the wilds of Australia. Every manager in America and Eng land when they learHeuf oA HIS WHofe- abouts made him the most flattering offers to return to the stage. But he was apparently adamant until he receiv- ed an offer from Sir Henry Irving. couched in affectionate language. to re- turn to London and create the i'm portant role of Olivier. the directors son in "Robespierre."' He went back and scored the biggest personal tri- umph in that great production. No sooner was his. success heralded than he longed again for his wild life In Queensland. to which point he fled be- fore the run of "Robespierre' had half completed its course in London. It was from there that he was persuaded once more to come to America and ar ter a season in his own play, "A Gen tleman from France" he was given the famous role in "Raffles, which is not only his favorite part but probably the most popular one that he has ever play ed. After touring both England and America in this piece he had. an almost equally successful run in "The Thief . TT year he Is reviewing "Raffles" u,r Charles Frohman's management, oHJ is to the large number of appeals uiaIt nave been made from every part