Irene Rooke

Irene Rooke (1878 "-" June 14, 1958) was an English theater and motion picture actress from Bridport, Dorset, England.

tage Actress

She was the daughter of a prominent London, England journalist. Rooke left boarding school in 1896 and went directly on the stage. Unlike many novices, she achieved quick success as an actress.

In 1897 she performed the role of Ophelia in Hamlet. Gordon Craig appeared in the title role. Rooke played the part of the Christian maiden, "Mercia", in "The Sign of the Cross". The play was adapted from the historical drama written by
Wilson Barrett. The production was staged at the 14th Street Theater in New York City, in October 1898. The entire company was composed of actors from the Lyric Theatre (London).

Rooke was in an original production of "Quality Street" prior to creating the character of the charwoman in "The Silver Box". The latter was the first John Galsworthy play to be produced. It was staged in 1906. Rooke is remembered for depicting characters who were "quiet but valiant, misunderstood but uncomplaining."

She acted the part of "Kate Hardcastle" in the Ben Greet production of "She Stoops To Conquer". Rooke's performance was well-received as was the character played by Julia Reynolds. They performed together on the Oberlin, Ohio stage, in March 1908. The Greet Company presented A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare to audiences in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1909. Rooke trained under and toured with Greet. She also appeared in support of E.H. Sothern.

Her acting range was broad. She demonstrated this in 1913 while touring
Canada with the company of Annie Horniman. On this trip Rooke played parts like "Paula Tanqueray", "Major Barbara", and "Alice" in "Alice Sit-By-The-Fire".

In the latter stages of her stage career she impressed critics most vividly with her rendition of the mother in Oliver Cromwell. The theatrical production was adapted from the writing of
John Drinkwater. Rooke played an old woman who relished the cause of freedom, yet who loved poetry even more.

Motion Pictures

Rooke was in films beginning with her role opposite Nigel Playfair in
Lady Windermere's Fan (1916). In the drama, "The Street of Adventure" (1921), she was cast with Lionelle Howard and Margot Drake. Rooke appeared as Catherine de' Medici in "The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots" (1923). The sixteenth century historical drama featured Fay Compton and Jack Cardiff.

Her final films were released in 1932, both of them U.K. titles produced by G.B. Samuelson. Rooke depicted "Lady Grathers" in "Threads" and "Mrs. Maynard" in "Collision".

Death

Irene Rooke died in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England, in 1958. She retired from the theater more than twenty years prior to her death. She was married to Milton Rosmer.

References

*Elyria Evening Telegram, "Ben Was Well Greeted", March 17, 1908, Page 8.
*La Crosse Tribune, "Spotlights", June 2, 1909, Page 3.
*New York Times, "The Sign of the Cross", October 11, 1898, Page 7.
*Oakland Tribune, "Sign of the Cross Coming to the MacDonough", March 11, 1899, Page 9.
*Steubenville Herald-Star, "Music, Art, and Drama, Saturday, February 5, 1898, Page 4.
*The Times, "Miss Irene Rooke Progressive Theatre Of Fifty Years Ago", Monday, June 16, 1958, Page 10.

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