1. Viola Emily Allen was an American stage actress who played leading roles in Shakespeare and other plays, including many original plays.
19 Facts About Viola Allen
1. 2.
Viola Allen starred in over two dozen Broadway productions from 1885 to 1916.
3.
Viola Allen moved to Boston at three years of age and later moved with her family to Toronto.
4.
Viola Allen was educated at the Bishop Strachan School, her brothers being educated at Trinity College School, Port Hope, Ontario.
5.
Viola Allen then attended a boarding school in New York City, Miss Cornell's School for Girls.
6.
Viola Allen had her first stage appearance at the age of 14 at Madison Square Theatre in New York on July 4,1882.
7.
Viola Allen's father was a member of the cast, and the theater's stage manager asked if Mr Viola Allen would allow his daughter to play the part.
8.
Viola Allen's debut attracted the attention of actor John McCullough, who made her his leading lady in 1883.
9.
Viola Allen performed with the best-known 19th century actors including: Tommaso Salvini, Lawrence Barrett, Joseph Jefferson, and William J Florence.
10.
Viola Allen is best remembered for her roles in Shenandoah and Little Lord Fauntleroy.
11.
From 1885 to 1916, Viola Allen starred in over two dozen Broadway productions, creating characters in many original plays.
12.
Viola Allen played classical Shakesperean and comedy roles with Salvini, Lawrence Jarrett, Joseph Jefferson and V J Florence.
13.
Viola Allen acted in The Masqueraders, Under the Red Robe, The Christian, In the Palace of the King, Twelfth Night, A Winter's Tale, As You Like It, The Lady of Coventry, and others.
14.
Viola Allen played such roles as Virginia, Cordelia, Desdemona, Lydia Languish, Dolores, Julia and Roma.
15.
Viola Allen starred in the 1915 silent film The White Sister along with Richard Travers.
16.
Viola Allen remained an active supporter of charitable and theatrical organizations.
17.
Viola Allen married Peter Edward Cornell Duryea on August 16,1905, and they remained wed until his death in 1944.
18.
Viola Allen died in her home in New York City on May 9,1948, aged 78.
19.
Viola Allen is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, New York.