Life, 1895-05-09 · page 9 of 18
Life — May 9, 1895 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Miss Ada Rehan Page Analysis This page from *Life* magazine celebrates actress **Miss Ada Rehan**, a prominent stage performer of the era. The left illustration shows her riding a bicycle—a contemporary leisure activity that symbolized modern independence, particularly for women. The right photographs document her career: a childhood portrait from 1883 (age ten) and an image of her in costume as Lady Macbeth, demonstrating her transition from child to accomplished Shakespearean actress. The accompanying text praises her physical development, artistic talent, and professional success, while noting she arrived in America at age five and became a leading lady in Mr. Daly's theatrical company. The page essentially documents her transformation from unknown child to celebrated performer—"the growth of greatness."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE: Miss ADA REHAN, From a v1 TAKEN IN 1883, WHEN TEN YEARS OF AGE. civilization, still there is a great deal of entertainment to be had from his bright pictures of American society, American pleasures, American work- ingmen, and the Sunny South. It is surely rather nice to be praised by a foreigner who is not patronizing, and intelligently criticised by a man who is sympathetic, Droch. THE GROWTH OF GREATNESS. XI. Miss Apa Renan. [MISS ADA_REHAN, whose physical, intellectual and artistic develop- 1 ment is graphically shown in our illustrations was born on the twenty- second of April, 18—. We know the year but do not state it because LIFE has no desire to hurt the feelings of anyone. Sweet Limerick, in Ireland, had the honor of being her birthplace, and has consequently become one Of the best known of Irish names to Americans, The family surname was Crehan, but Miss Rehan did not care to drag the preliminary C in the dust Of the stage. She arrived in America at the early age of five, and informed the reporters who had gathered at Sandy Hook to meet her that she con- sidered America “just too lovely for anything.” 307 The great event of her career occurred in 1878. Then for the first time she gazed on Mr. Augustin Daly. It is not recorded that she fainted or turned a double somersault. And we are all aware that Mr. Daly did not drop dead, The result of the meeting was that Miss Rehan became the leading lady in Mr. Daly's company. This position she has since held, to the gratification and satisfaction of many audiences. Miss Rehan stands about seventeen-and-a-half hands high and her hair is a bright bay in color. She is thoroughly broken to single harness, does not shy and rarely kicks. Her knee-action is and out on the road she is observed by all who look at her. s Rehan's most pronounced characteristic is her power of inspiring imitation in other women. This is particularly true of stage-women, and the American stage is to-day densely populated with inferior actresses who wrongly take Miss Rehan’s peculiarities and mannerisms for the foundation of her success. Imitation may be the sincerest Aattery, but in this case it is a little bit hard on the American people. Miss Rehan has made several professional mis- takes, and her art is not without its flaws, but she is conscientious, is a hard worker, and LiFe makes his obeisance to her. Miss ADA REHAN, As Lapy Macuetn.