MISS FAY COMPTON

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 260, 30 July 1937, Page 8

MISS FAY COMPTON

Noted English Actress Coming NOTABLE SUCCESSES TO BE PLAYED The most important theatrical news of recent years is the announcement that Miss Fay Compton, the distinguished English actress, supported by a company of London players, is to leave England for Australia on August 23, and will commence a season in Melbourne on October 23, under the management of Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd. The company is to play three recent notable successes. They include “Victoria Regina,” which in June completed an 18 months’ run in New York, and but for the torrid weather, could have continued on through the American summer. As it was, it concluded the season to packed business. After tlie concluding performance, Miss Helen Hayes entertained the whole Of the company (over GO people) at a champagne supper, and gave each member a handsome present. Gilbert Miller, the manager, is .now presenting “Victoria Regina” (by Lawrence Housmau) in London, with Pamela Stanley as Queen Victoria. Two other plays which have been just as successful are “George and Margaret,” by Gerald Savory (sou of Miss Grace Lane, the actress, who was in Australia two years ago), and “Tovarich,” which ran in London for over a year. . Interviewed in London, Miss Compton, who is to tour New Zealand ami South Africa, as well as Australia, expressed pleasure at the prospect of a Dominions tour. “I. have never been to any of these countries before,” said Miss Compton, “and am thrilled at the prospect of acting before new audiences.” The player. 4 to accompany Miss Compton will be Bruno Barnabe (who supported Elisabeth* Berguer in "Escape Me Never”), Michael Wilding, Peter Dearing, Stafford Hilliard, Jack McNaughton, Ann Codrington, Hayley Bell, and Yvette Aiming. Miss Compton, who is 43 years of age, is the daughter of distinguished theatrical parents, Edward Compton and Virginia Bateman. She was educated at Featherhead Court, Surrey, and in Paris. Thrice married, her first husband was H. G. Pellissier (of the Follies), her second, Lauri de Freece, and her third Leon Quartermaine. Miss Compton made her first appearance in a Christmas fantasy in the Albert Hall in 1906, and on the stage at the Apollo Theatre, London, with the Follies. on August 20, 1911. _ After two years with the famous Follies, she appeared in "Who’s the Lady.'” at the Garrick, and was Cissie in “The Cinema Star,” in June, 1914. When war broke out Miss Compton was in America playing in “To-night’s the Night.” Subsequently, on hep return to England, she played Ju “The Only Girl,” “The Boomerang,” “Innocent and Annabel,” “The Professor’s Love Story,” “The Bells,” “Sheila,” "Peter Pan” (as Peter). “Fair and Warmer,” created Mary Rose in Barrie’s play of that name, and in the twenties appeared in “Quality Street,” “The Circle,” “Prisoner of Zenda” (as Flavia), “Little Minister” (as Lady Babbie). She was Ophelia to John Barrymore’s "Hamlet.” and played in “Liliom,” “The Constant Wife,” “The Wandering Jew,” and “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” In 1929 Miss Compton paid a visit, to Hollywood, when she made the film “Fashions in Love” (with Adolphe Menjou). Her reminiscences have been published under the title of “Rosemary.”