Live Theater Play Child Actors: Elsie Leslie (Lyde) (1881-1966)

Figure 1.--Elsie Leslie was enormously popular in "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (1888-89). It was at this time that William Merritt Chase, one of the great American portratists, painted her. "Little Lord Fauntleroy" was one of the most popular stage plays of the late 19th century. There were many productions of the play throughout the United Stats, England, and the major cities of Europe. Quite a number of child actors played the part, both boys and girls. Several girls played the part necause Cedric was usually costumed with long hair as depicted in the Regional Birch drawings used to illustrate the first edition of the book. The portrait here was taken in New York during 1888. Notice Elsie's tam at here fee. She didn't put it on for te portrait as it would have hidden her hair. Image courtesy of the BP collection.

Elsie Leslie was one of America's most important child stars in the American late-19th century theather. Two of her best known roles were Frances Hodgson Burnnett's "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper". She was the daughter of an affluent New Yorker. This was interesting because prosperous people at the time wanted no part of the theater for their children. Elsie first appeared on the stage when she was about 4 years old (1885). She became famous when she played Editha (1887). This was a little girl who encounters a burglar. The play of course was "Edna's Burglar". She was also enormously popular in subsequent productions of "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (1888-89). It was at this time that William Merritt Chase, one of the great American portratists, painted her. "Little Lord Fauntleroy" was one of the most popular stage plays of the late 19th century. There were many productions of the play throughout the United Stats, England, and the major cities of Europe. Quite a number of child actors played the part, both boys and girls. Several girls played the part necause Cedric was usually costumed with long hair as depicted in the Regional Birch drawings used to illustrate the first edition of the book. Next she did "The Prince and the Pauper" (1890). She then withdrew from the stage. Apparently acting was in her blood and attempted a come back 8 years later. She did not succeed, however, in capturing the stage magic of her younger days. The portrait here was taken by Napoleon Sarony. He usually made a whole series of shots for actors. They would buy them in bulk and use them to give to admirers or for publicity. Photographers like Sarony would also sell copies to the general public. People at the time, mostly women and children would use them for scrap books. The portrait here indeed only one of of a series of poses for the Fauntleroy production. We note, for example, poses with her wearing the tam. Selling celeberty portraits could be very lucurative.

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Created: 3:39 PM 6/25/2007
Last updated: 3:39 PM 6/25/2007