ASHWELL

ashwell, lena (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 1900, 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.