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Ela Queenie May (born c. 1890) was a child actress of the Edwardian era. She is probably best remembered as Liza, the Darling family servant, in the original production of '' Peter Pan'' (1904 – 1906) and later played Wendy Darling in the touring companies of ''Peter Pan'' (1906–08). Before that, she played roles at several West End theatres from 1900, including the title role in '' Ib and Little Christina'' in 1901 and again in 1904.
Ela Q. May
Who Was Who in the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Gilbert and Sullivan Archive She soon appeared as Sandro in
May went on to play in children's roles in ''The Exile'' by
She played the Darling family's house servant Liza (credited humorously in the programme as the "author of the play") in the world premiere of '' Peter Pan'' at the Duke of York's Theatre (December 1904 – April 1905, and again in December 1905 – February 1906). When the audience called for the author it was May who walked onto the stage to inform them that her friend Mr Barrie "was not in the house." In April 1905 she played Child opposite Ellen Terry as Alice Grey and Irene Vanbrugh as Amy Grey in Barrie’s ''Alice Sit-by-the-Fire'' at the Duke of York’s, and then was Child in Barrie’s curtain raiser ''Pantaloon'' with Gerald du Maurier in the title role at the Duke of York's (April–July 1905). In February
1906 she was again jokingly credited with Barrie as the co-author of the play when Barrie and producer Charles Frohman brought scenery and an all-child cast from the London theatre production for a special performance of ''Peter Pan'' for an unwell Michael Llewelyn Davies (with his brothers the inspiration for Barrie's characters Peter Pan, the Darling brothers, and the Lost Boys) in 'Michael’s Nursery' at Egerton House in Berkhamsted, the family home of the Llewelyn Davies family. For this special one-off performance she played Wendy Darling, while Barrie himself appeared as the Cabman. She played Wendy in the 1906–07 second touring company of ''Peter Pan'' opposite Zena Dare in the title role, and again with the only touring company (1907–08), when the critic of the '' Bath Chronicle'' described her as "a charming and delightful Wendy".Hanson, p. 72
Photographic portrait of Ela Q. May
by Alexander Bassano – Collection of the
Ela Queenie May (born c. 1890) was a child actress of the Edwardian era. She is probably best remembered as Liza, the Darling family servant, in the original production of '' Peter Pan'' (1904 – 1906) and later played Wendy Darling in the touring companies of ''Peter Pan'' (1906–08). Before that, she played roles at several West End theatres from 1900, including the title role in '' Ib and Little Christina'' in 1901 and again in 1904.
Earliest roles
May was variously known as Elie, Elie Queenie, and Queenie. She made her début in London’s Garrick Theatre playing a bridesmaid in J. M. Barrie’s ''The Wedding Guest'' (September 1900 – January 1901). She made further short appearances at the Royal Court Theatre and the Princess's Theatre before she was engaged by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company to appear as Little Christina in a revival of '' Ib and Little Christina'' at the Savoy Theatre, where it had a brief run of 16 performances (November 14–29, 1901).Stone, DavidEla Q. May
Who Was Who in the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Gilbert and Sullivan Archive She soon appeared as Sandro in
Louis N. Parker
Louis Napoleon Parker (21 October 1852 – 21 September 1944) was an English dramatist, composer and translator. Parker wrote many plays, developing a reputation for historical works. His 1911 play ''Disraeli'' is one of his best known, written a ...
’s ''The Twin Sister'' at the Duke of York's Theatre. In 1902 she was back at the Savoy as Second Royal Page in Basil Hood and Edward German’s opera '' Merrie England'', at the same time playing Norah in Aimée Daniell Beringer
Aimée Daniell Beringer (1856 – February 17, 1936) billed professionally as Mrs. Oscar Beringer, was an American-born playwright, theatrical manager, novelist, and commentator, based in London.
Early life
Aimée Daniell was born in Philadelp ...
’s one-act play ''Holly Tree Inn'' at Terry's Theatre (April–May 1902).
May went on to play in children's roles in ''The Exile'' by Lloyd Osbourne
Samuel Lloyd Osbourne (April 7, 1868 – May 22, 1947) was an American author and the stepson of the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, with whom he co-authored three books, including '' The Wrecker'', and provided input and ideas on oth ...
and Austin Strong and starring John Martin-Harvey
Sir John Martin-Harvey (22 June 1863 – 14 May 1944), known before his knighthood in 1921 as John Martin Harvey, was an English stage actor-manager.
Born in Bath Street, Wivenhoe, Essex, he was the son of John Harvey, a yacht-designer and ...
as the exiled Emperor Napoleon at the Royalty Theatre (May 1903), ''Rumplestiltzkin'' in a single matinée performance at the Adelphi Theatre (May 1903), and reprised her role of Little Christina in ''Ib and Little Christina'' at Daly's Theatre and the Lyric Theatre (January–March 1904).
''Peter Pan'' and last roles
She played the Darling family's house servant Liza (credited humorously in the programme as the "author of the play") in the world premiere of '' Peter Pan'' at the Duke of York's Theatre (December 1904 – April 1905, and again in December 1905 – February 1906). When the audience called for the author it was May who walked onto the stage to inform them that her friend Mr Barrie "was not in the house." In April 1905 she played Child opposite Ellen Terry as Alice Grey and Irene Vanbrugh as Amy Grey in Barrie’s ''Alice Sit-by-the-Fire'' at the Duke of York’s, and then was Child in Barrie’s curtain raiser ''Pantaloon'' with Gerald du Maurier in the title role at the Duke of York's (April–July 1905). In February
1906 she was again jokingly credited with Barrie as the co-author of the play when Barrie and producer Charles Frohman brought scenery and an all-child cast from the London theatre production for a special performance of ''Peter Pan'' for an unwell Michael Llewelyn Davies (with his brothers the inspiration for Barrie's characters Peter Pan, the Darling brothers, and the Lost Boys) in 'Michael’s Nursery' at Egerton House in Berkhamsted, the family home of the Llewelyn Davies family. For this special one-off performance she played Wendy Darling, while Barrie himself appeared as the Cabman. She played Wendy in the 1906–07 second touring company of ''Peter Pan'' opposite Zena Dare in the title role, and again with the only touring company (1907–08), when the critic of the '' Bath Chronicle'' described her as "a charming and delightful Wendy".Hanson, p. 72
References
External links
Photographic portrait of Ela Q. May
by Alexander Bassano – Collection of the
National Portrait Gallery, London
The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is an art gallery in London housing a collection of portraits of historically important and famous British people. It was arguably the first national public gallery dedicated to portraits in the world when it ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:May, Ela Q.
1890s births
20th-century English actresses
Actresses from London
English musical theatre actresses