New-York tribune., 1918-03-10

ease into the picture than Winifred
Fraser, whose portrayal Of Mrs Martha
Van Zile, the mother of the lovelorn
youth around whom the story centres,
is quite delightful.
1t would be only natural to suppose
that an actress who played the gray
haired mother of a grown-up son was
not assuming role of this type from
choice, but if one could go behind the
scenes at the Belasco Theatre and meet
Miss Fraser he would instantly alter
any such opinion, for he would find
this stage mother a woman in the prime
of life, whose young appearance i'm
mediately propounds thu query as to
why she is willing to accept such parts
when she might easily avoid them for
many years to come.
1t was in "Prunella," at the Little
Theatre, that Miss Fraser was cast for
her first mature part, and the second
one that she had played before a New
York audience. Previous to this she
"Pomander Walk" during its long run
at Wallack's Theatre here and also on
tour, and then appeared in repertory
at the Fine Arts Theatre, in Chicago.
a.
terzed the role Of the aunt in "Pru-
nela" bore out her contention that she
could adapt herself to iuch roles, and
the hesitancy which had previously ex-
ing parts was soon thing Of the past.
When "Hush' was produced at the Lit
tie Theatre last season Miss Fraser
played the mother Of six children; and
in the programme of one-act Barrie
plays at the Empire Theatre last spring
she was again a mother, this time of
three, in "The New Word" Thus, tax
ing her present role into consideration,
she has "mothered" ten stage children
III less than year.
The Winifred Fraser whom London
audiences knew and admired was :. far
different person from the actress we
have grown to regard here as an inter-
prefer of mother roles. In her native
country she won a distinct place for
herself as leading woman for many of
the most famous English stars in roles
that ranged from Shaw to Ibsen and
which included many of Shakespeare's
favorite heroines.
The daughter Of clergyman, Miss
Fraser was the first member of her
family to adopt stage career. From
the time she attended her first theatre
she was imbued with the desire to take
it up as profession, and was fortu-
nate enough to make her debut as a
member of Sir John Hare's company at
the Garrick Theatre, in London, in a
play by Lady Bancroft called "My
being coached in the part
~ the author herself
Miss Fraser remained with Sir John
Hare to appear in his revival of "a
Pair Of Spectacles," and then had the
distinction of creating role in the
irst play from the pen of w. B. Yeats,
he Irish dramatist, called "The Land
f Hearts Desire"
Her next engagement brought Miss
fraser one Of the most sought-after
oles of the day, for she was selected
0 play the leading part in Ibsen's
Wild Duck" which is now being pre-
ented here for the first time in English.
Ter Interpretation of this difficult char
cter was received with the greatest ac-
lain, and so firmly did she become
Identified with the role that when the
lay was revived several years later by
laurence Irving he again secured her
or this part.
AS leading woman for Olga Neither
ole, Miss Fraser appeared with her in
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray," ""Magda"
nd other Llays in her repertory, and
,hen she left Miss Nethersolc's com
'any it was to sign threeycar con-
ract with Sir Augustus Harris, only
nc year of which was carried out,
wing to his death.
Miss Fraser then joined Cyril Maude, /
nd played under his management in (
Under the Red Robe" and other pro-
uctions, following which she was en-
aged by Sir Henry Irving and Ellen
crry for their company to assume the
oles next to Miss Terrys. Her as
ociation with these distinguished play
rs was one Of the happiest milcstones
{ her career, and she treasures the
emory of it, perhaps, more than any
ling else.
The next prominent star to secure
ISIS Fraser was Mrs. Patrick Campbell,
nd for three seasons she remained