Helen Rous facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helen Rous
Helen Rous, from an 1896 publication
Born	1863 Carlow
Died	23 March 1934
Occupation	Actress
Relatives	Kathleen Trousdell Shaw (sister)

Helen Rous (born 1863, died 1934) was a talented actress from Ireland. She performed many times on stage in London, England. She was known for playing different kinds of roles. These included supporting parts in plays by famous writers like Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.

Early Life

Helen Rous was born in Carlow, Ireland, in 1863. Her father was Alfred Shaw. She learned at home and also attended Alexandra College. Helen had a younger sister named Kathleen Trousdell Shaw.

Becoming an Actress

Helen Rous learned how to act from Sarah Thorne. Sarah Thorne ran the Theatre Royal in Brighton, England. Helen first appeared on stage in 1891. Her first role was Pauline in a play called The Black Doctor. This play was based on a French story.

After her first role, Helen spent two years in South Africa. She worked with a group of actors who performed many different plays. This is called a repertory company. When she returned to the United Kingdom, she toured with other actors. In 1896, she performed in London at the Royalty Theatre. She was in a play called The Queen's Proctor.

Touring and London Shows

Helen Rous spent several years touring around England and the USA. She also had many roles in London. In 1897, she played Mrs. O'Gallagher in The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown. This was a funny play. A newspaper called The Era said her performance was "brisk, bright, and humorous."

Around 1900, she played Mrs. Candour in a tour of School for Scandal. She also acted in A Wife's Peril. In 1901, she was in a play called Lion Hunters. She acted alongside Harry Brodribb Irving and Nina Boucicault. More London shows followed. From 1905 to 1906, she toured with actor John Hare. This tour took her to the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin in Ireland.

Famous Roles

In 1908, Helen Rous toured with Granville Barker. She played Mrs. Whitfield in Shaw's play Man and Superman. In 1909, she took on a very famous role. She played Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. People praised her performance. They said she was "unimpeachable" and had "well-bred severity." Lady Bracknell was known for her fancy clothes. Helen Rous was seen as "elegant and gracious" in the part. That same year, she was in a play about women's voting rights. It was called How The Vote Was Won. She played Miss Lizzie Wilkins.

By 1911, Helen Rous was known for playing "grande dame" parts. These are roles of important, older women. She had played these types of characters for many years. In 1912, she played Mrs. Posthurst in a short play called The Dusty Path. Her character looked and acted like a well-known supporter of women's rights.

In 1917, Helen Rous played Dame Ursula in The Aristocrat. This was the last play for actor George Alexander. The play's performances were sometimes affected by air raids.

Later Life

Helen Rous passed away on March 23, 1934. She was remembered as a "well-known actress."