Terriss, Ellaline

1871

1971

Born in Stanley, the Falkland Islands, on 13 April 1871, Ellaline Terriss was the daughter of the actor-manager William Terriss (q.v.) and his wife Amy (née Fellowes). She made her debut as Mary Herbert in "Cupid’s Messenger" on 14 February 1888 at the Haymarket Theatre, under the management of Beerbohm Tree. A three-year engagement with Charles Wyndham at the Criterion followed, and she was subsequently seen in modest roles at various London theatres. She played Cinderella with great success at the Lyceum in 1893, and crossed the sea to appear in the same role at the Abbey Theatre in New York in April 1894. After marrying the actor and playwright Seymour Hicks, she was a leading lady in his plays and acted numerous other roles in London, becoming a star player in music halls and in straight and musical plays. In 1914 with her husband she entertained British troops in France, and she also accompanied him in 1927 to Canada, where they remained five months. Among her last roles was Mrs Thornton in "The Miracle Man" at the Victoria Palace in May 1935. Between 1939 and 1946 she was in South Africa. Upon her husband receiving his knighthood in 1935 she became Lady Hicks. In 1928 she had published her reminiscences, "Ellaline Terris; by Herself and with Others". She died on 16 June 1971, at the age of 100. (WWWT, EB)