ADAMS, MAUDE

Adams, Maude: translation

(1872-1953)

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maude Kiskadden was the daughter of James Kiskadden and Annie Adams, a popular actress on Salt Lake City stages. She made her first stage appearance as an infant carried onstage by her mother. Her first speaking part, at age five as a little boy inFritz, Our Cousin German, was prophetic in that her greatest role would be as a boy who refused to grow up. She followed her mother into the profession, taking Adams as her stage name. As an adult, she first appeared in stock in California before making her Broadway debut inThe Paymaster(1888). Following that, she acted withE. H. SotherninLord Chum-leyandCharles H.HoytinA Midnight Bell.

With her appearance inMen and Women(1890), Adams began a long association with producerCharles Frohman, who cast her oppositeJohn DrewinThe Masked Ball(1892). She acted with her mother inThe Butterflies(1894) andThe Imprudent Young Couple(1895), and once again worked with Drew inChristopher, Jr. (1895). Adams followed this withRosemary(1896), a play that encouragedJ. M. Barrieto adapt his novelThe Little Ministerinto dramatic form for her in 1897. As Barrie's Lady Babbie, Adams scored a great success and was starred for the first time, after which she won praise as Juliet toWilliamFaversham's Romeo in 1899. She had, however, become Barrie's American muse and starred in many of his plays, includingQuality Street(1901),What Every Woman Knows(1908),The Legend of Leonora(1914),A Kiss for Cinderella(1916), and the play that placed her among the theatrical immortals,Peter Pan(1905). In this role, Adams's soulful sweetness, humor, and intellect were showcased.Peter Panoccupied her for a few years, after which she had a brief run as Viola inTwelfth Night(1908). She also gave admired performances in Edmond Rostand'sL'Aiglon(1900) andChantecler(1911).

After Frohman's sudden death on the torpedoedLusitaniain 1915, Adams slowly lost interest in her career. In 1918, she announced her retirement. After working as a lighting consultant for General Electric in the 1920s, Adams returned to the stage to tour withOtis SkinnerinThe Merchant of Veniceduring the 1931-1932 season and to play Maria inTwelfth Nightin a stock production, after which she retired definitively. From 1937 to 1950, she taught drama at Missouri's Stephens College.