ELLEN TERRY TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 17880, 28 January 1922, Page 7

ELLEN TERRY TO-DAY

[By H, M. Forbes, in tho ‘ Weekly Scotsman.’] “ I nm a very old woman nowadays,” said Miss Terry tho other day, hut, as far as appearances so, tho famous actress looks anything hut ageing. She speaks with all tho old-timo charm, to say nothing of vivacity, and exhibits as keen an interest in life qs ever she did. Dressed in dark blue, her neck encased in a necklace of rich amber, her head crowned with a great mass of S silvery grey hair, which she keeps i brushing from her brow, Miss Terry, as she_ looks at one through her big black-rimmed spectacles, presents a figure singularly arresting. “ What is my chief interest now I am no longer actually connected with the theatre?” asked tho veteran actress. “Tho theatre—the same as ever. I never grow tired of hearing all about what is going on in stageland,'and I still often go to the play. Yon must not- imagine I live in tho past, though I need hardly assure you I do have memories. TRIBUTE TO PLAYERS. “It afforded me boundless pleasure to seo Sarah Bernhardt last time she appeared in London. I knelt at her feet in reverence, for, besides regarding Sarah Bernhardt as a groat personal friend, my enthusiasm for her acting knows no hounds. “ Many of the players of the present day aro wonderful, though, as is only natural, names such as ■ Irving and Tree hold a special place in my heart. Groat as was Irving’s personality, Tree’s, too, was very remarkable. I love to think of his joy in life, his happy-go-lucky attitude towards tho daily problems of existence, his splendid optimism “ And then Dime, that is another name to conjure with. I once had an interesting discussion with one of my daughters as to whether Sarah Bernhardt or Du,so was the greater artist. It was not an easy- question to determine. Obviously both had great claims on our admiration, hut in the end wo came to tho conclusion it was Sarah Bernhardt who - was tho greater—she gives one the impression of being in love, with life, wishing to live, to glory as far as possible in life’s every hour. ANECDOTE OF LORD KITCHENER. “ How splendid of Sir William Robertson to speak up as ho recently did in praise of bprd Kitchener. I know William Robertson, and it is a real pleasure to think how he has defended tho name of his dead chief. Although I did not know Kitchener intimately, I know him pretty well. I first encountered him when I was playing with Tree. “ ‘Go and entertain Kitchener until I get rid of somo of these glad rags,’ said Tree, making for his dressing room, and accordingly off I went to Kitchener’s box. “ At first appearance I thought the great soldier was unwell—he was sitting with his face buried in Ids hands. But no; I was mistaken, ho was really laughing—laughing heartily. “‘You will think me very rude,’ said he, ‘ but the'truth is it is at you I was laughing, Miss Terry; that last scene in which you and Mrs Kendal appear together is really too amusing.’ “ Fancy people trying as they have done to make out that Kitchener was a weakling! Absurd! I think it- perfectly monstrous. JOYS OF HER LIFE. “ Ono of my delights in life is tho letters I receive from child lovers. Many kindly and amusing communications I receive from little ones. My mail bag is still pretty heavy; people are constantly writing me, sending me little gifts.” What a pity some of tho present-day actresses could not have heard the flattering terms in which tho famous actress commented on their work. Among others of whom she spoke in this way was Henry Irving’s daughter-in-law, while sho_ also spoke in high terms of John Drinkwater. “1 am exceedingly happy in my surroundings,” concluded Miss Terry. “Occasionally I go to tho pictures as well as to the theatre—was there today, as a matter of fact, with my daughter. Ah! the.ro goes my one and only maid—l am not alone! Delightful little place this, is it not—do you like tho ornaments P A good few of them are presents. The truth is, lam shown kindness on all sides, and am as happy as the daw is lona.”