MISFORTUNES OF AN ACTRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 88, 13 April 1935, Page 29

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MISFORTUNES OF AN ACTRESS

.';, Miss Gertrude Lawrence attended at Bankruptcy Buildings recently at the first statutory meeting of her creditors. She was described as "Gertrude Howley, actress, commonly known as Gertrude Lawrence," of Cumberland Place, Regent's Park, and formerly of Cheyne Walk,. Chelsea (states .the "Daily Telegraph"). ....". : ' ;

•Mr. S. W. Hood, Official Receiver, who presided, dealt with 99 proofs of debt totalling £6802. He said that Miss Lawrence had lodged a statement of affairs showing gross;, .liabilities £25,066, of which £24,729 were expected to rank, and assets £1879. The liabilities included a claim of £14,000 for income, tax.. ,

Mr. Theodore Goddard, for Miss* Lawrence, said although he would not say that he disputed the tax claim, he did say it was a matter for investigation. English actors and actresses we're liable in England in respect of their American earnings.

It was stated thp' Miss Lawrence attributed her insolvency to heavy domestic expenses, her own illness, living beyond her means, and the^unexpected demand made on her for income tax while she was in America^ where she had already paid the full demand made on her.

The Official Receiver said that, according to statements made by Miss Lawrence, she began to work at the age of 10 in a pantomime. About the end of 1928 she received an offer from Hollywood.

On her return she was presented with the manuscript of "Private Lives," which Mr. Noel Coward had specially written for her. The play, was limited to a twelve weeks' run, and. proved highly successful, and later she again went to America for its presentation there.1 Finally, owing .to ill health, she collapsed, although she returned for the remaining run of the .play. This, she said, was a stupid thing to do, but illness cost money. She could not afford to be ill. Afterwards she was compelled to undergo operations on her ear and throat. After her return to England she signed a contract to appear at the Haymarket Theatre, but the play did not prove a big success.

Moreover, while rehearsing for a

new production, she fell and broke an arm. In fact, during the twp years after her return from America "everything seemed to conspire against her." Illness had caused her great expense. In March, 1932, she was confronted with the knowledge that tradespeople were beginning to send bills and notes, and she was forced to sacrifice her jewellery in order to meet demands. Then followed several months during which she was without an engagement. ■ . ..:

While she was absent from London, Miss Lawrence had added, the interest in all her jewellery lapsed, and,_ without any chance,to save it, she returned, so she alleged, to discover that the entire collection had been sold. Although she had only borrowed £3000, the jewellery had been appraised at upwards of £15,000. In May last she "tried out" on the road a play which, in her opinion, did not merit presentation uv London. Immediately it began, creditors became embarrassingly persistent, and her health was, consequently, so affected that she was in a nursing home for a month. ■ She realised that there was only one way in which to obtain extra money, and that was by extra work, so she signed a film contract due to begin in October. She was, therefore, able toi promise substantial payments to her creditors in November. But two unforseen things made it impossible for her to keep her promise, one of which was her illness with mastoiditis. That compelled the play to close, and postponed the film. But, after six weeks' severe agony, sb.e began c<ti the film again—solely to 'make the money she had promised to her creditors.

In conclusion. Miss Lawrence had said: "During all mylife I would like you please to remember, I have had no brothers or sisters to help : me with my family." There was no offer 6f a composition before the meeting, which passed resolutions for the appointment of Mr. F. S. Salaman, chartered accountant, as trustee of the estate, 'and of a committee of inspection consisting of three creditors.