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Ada Rehan, Shakespearean Heroine
Ada Rehan (1857-1916) was the stage name of Ada Crehan, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland with her family when she was five. She began her theatrical career at the age of sixteen, but her big break came when she was noticed by New York manager, Augustin Daly. Rehan signed with him in 1879 and worked with his company for the next twenty years.
Rehan played many of Shakespeare's comic heroines including Viola in Twelfth Night, Rosalind in As You Like It, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and Kate in Taming of the Shrew - her signature role.
Rehan had to grow into the more subdued role of Viola, but she eventually excelled in that as well. A critic called it "one of the best Shakespearean interpretations of the time."* Rehan wore the costume shown here when she played Viola disguised as the young male servant, Cesario, in Twelfth Night. (1a & b) You see a printed version of the play with Rehan's signature (2), as well as a costume design for Cesario, and a photograph of Cesario and Malvolio from the production (3 & 4) |