MISS MYRA KEMBLE INTERVIEWED.

A Southland News reporter interviewed Miss Kemble_during her recent stay in Invercargill. The reporter commenced by asking — How long have you been on the stage, Miss Kemble r

Oh, a very long time. I begin to feel quite an oW person. I made my first appearance in 1874, at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. Miss Nellie Stewart made her debut at the same time, and the- leading people were, I think, Miss Clara Thompson, Mr Harwood, and some members of the opera company, whose names I cannot think of. You began at the beginning, I suppose ? Yes ; at the very bottom of the ladder. What first suggested to you the idea of going on the stage ? Our little productions at the convent at Geelong, where I was educated. I was cast for a part every time, and grew fond of the amusement. Arid one of our girls after she left joined the ranks of the professionals. I thought of her description of the life of an actress so much that the idea became fixed in my mind that I, too, must manage to attain some day to the blessed privilege of standing behind the footlights. When I left school and went to live with my parents at Kew (Melbourne), I quietly made up my mind to try for an introduction to the stage, and one day when I was going into town for my music lesson I stopped at the tffeatre, and, making the best of my, way to the stage door, inquired for Mr Harwood. I had to wait a long time, but at length he came, and the usher, pointing him out to me, I approached without the slightest hesitation and said :

"Please, Mr Harwood, I want to be an actress."

" Oh! is that all ?" he remarked ; "play Lady Macbe'h, I suppose ? "

I need scarcely say I answered affirmatively. Play Lady Macbeth ! Of course. In my blessed innocence I would willingly have undertaken to play Macduff . " Well, "he said, "come into my office. Now you know you are too young to be an actress by yourself. Have you any parents ? I answered promptly and truthfully that I had two living. "Just so; and they, of course, will have a say in anything like this. If you bring me a letter from them, or one of them, consenting to your adopting this business, .then we'll see about it." _ l

"But," I said, " I'm sure they'll never hear of it."

" Then, my dear, I am afraid you will have to wait a little longer. Come again when you are a few years older, and we will have another chat."

But I was not be denied, and I am afraid my father was led a somewhat unhappy life till he wrote me the necessary permission, armed with which precious document I again sought Mr Harwood and to my joy was assigned a place on the stage. ■»

• Did you find the footlights continue attractive ? ~

Yes; I always liked the business and studied hard to' improve and become worthy of promotion.

Did you ever undergo a course of study for business outside the theatre ?

Not any regular' study ; but then you know an actor or actress is always studying while at work. The " stars " are always anxious for good support~and would take any trouble to ensure that, by instructing those associated with them in the production of their pieces. And association with the masters and mistresses of the art is a course of education of the greatest value to those who desire to profit by it. From Mr Creswick I learned a very great deal, and I had a faithful friend in Mr B. W. Jones, who watched my progress with kindly eyes, and assisted me with advice and encouragement just at the time when both were of the utmost value. But no actor or actress is ever quite done 1 with the necessity, for studying the art he or she professes. Art is a zealous and exacting mistress.

We. have 'seen 'you chiefly in emotional characters. Do you prefer that kind of business.

Indeed 1> do -not. I have no great love for the /'.female in distress" class of representation — the very miserable person who is obliged to walkabout in the : show when turned out by a stern parent and compelled to die to slow music every eveningiri the third act. I must confess to" a weakness' for the plays which allow the heroine to pass all her trials and troubles and come out safely at the finish to live happily ever afterwards.