LENA

See also:

• LENA ASHWELL (1872— )

ASHWELL (1872— )  , English actress, was the daughter of Commander Pocock, R.N . In 1896 she married the actor Arthur Playfair, whom she divorced in 1908; later in the latter year she married Dr Simson . In 1895 she played Elaine in Sir Henry Irving's production of King Arthur at the Lyceum, and again acted with him in 1903 in Dante . She made her first striking success, however, on the London stage in Mrs Dane's Defence with Sir Charles Wyndham in 19oo, and a few years later her acting in Leah Kleschna confirmed her position as one of the leading actresses in London . In 1907 she started under her own management at the Kingsway theatre .