Edna May (1878-1948)

"The School Girl"
By Henry Hamilton and Paul Potter.
Produced at Daly's Theatre, New York - 1st September, 1904.

In the presence of an audience that tested the capacity of Daly's Theater, Edna May of London, England, and Syracuse, N. Y., was seen tonight in the best of her American productions, "The School Girl."

It was largely a theatrical audience, with a fair sprinkling of "flrst nighters." Between the acts could be heard on all sides favorable comment from persons inclined to be critical. Despite the fact that Edna May recently submitted to a throat operation, she was in good voice and in her characteristic demure style caught the house early in the first act when she sang "Daughters of the Guard." Not until the second act, however, did she receive the ovation of the evening. It was "My Little Canoe" song that pleased the house most and in this selection the young actress was exceedingly gracious and attractive. She was recalled a half dozen times.

It is plainly evidant that Edna May is more dramatic and sings better than when she appeared in "The Belle of New York" and in "The Girl From Up There." In the convent scene she looks much the same as the Salvation Army girl of old. Later in the piece she wears some striking gowns and is vivacious and pretty.

As one of the American girls, her sister, Jane May, does some good work and received applause in "Needle in the Haystack" song. The part Jane May plays, together with eight young women, gorgeously costumed, smacks of the old but ever pleasing "Floradora."

There are some dull moments in "The School Girl;" that is to be expected. For a first production as a whole, it is bright, well staged and fully as good as the average musical comedy. The men of the company furnished good support.

Edna May received many congratulatory cablegrams and telegrams. William Gillette, Anna Held. John Drew and Daniel Frohman were among the boxholders. Edna May's father and mother Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Pettie, Miss Marguerite Pettie and Adelbert Pettie of Syracuse occupied seats in the parquet.

Former Syracuse people in the audience included Dr. and Mrs. P. J. Gibbons, Nicholas Latterner, jr., and Attorney H. Carl Mersereau. After the performance Edna May was driven to her hotel, accompanied by her family. The carriage was filled with flowers from friends In Syracuse and New York.

K.D.V. PECK.

Syracuse Post-Standard, 4th September, 1904.