VARIETY ACTRESS KIDNAPPED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 183, 1 May 1936, Page 11

VARIETY ACTRESS KIDNAPPED

Edinburgh Students’ “Rag” “ASTOUNDING CASE OF HOOLIGANISM” By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received April 30, 7.55 p.m.) London, April 29. The news agency saye that a big party of “ragging” students who were celebrating Lord Allenby s installation to the rectorship of Edinburgh University, stormed the stage door of the Empire Theatre, bound the doorkeeper and stage hands, and kidnapped Rene Houston, a popular variety star, while she was changing between acts. Scantily clothed, she was bundled from her dressing-room into a waiting car. Tlie kidnappers’ plans were upset by a woman passer-by, and the car was stopped soon after starting. Miss Houston was allowed to return along the street wrapped up in a rug and in an hysterical condition. Shortly after the kidnapping two youths told the manager, “Renee win not be returned unless you give £25 toward a charity for which we are collecting.” Miss Houston’s husband, Pat Aherne, describes the affair as an astounding case of hooliganism. He alleges that his wife was dragged through the car window. She was black and blue all over and her terror was increased by claustrophobia, from which she suffers. He added: “Fifteen students confessed to tlie kidnapping. Renee is such a sport that she wants the matter dropped, but the police insist on independent action. The university authorities intend to take disciplinary action against all concerned.”