IMPRESSIONS OF DAME SYBIL THORNDIKE

Evening Star, Issue 21316, 21 January 1933, Page 20

IMPRESSIONS OF DAME SYBIL THORNDIKE

J ust a glimpse of Dame Thorndike as she arrived on the railway station gave one at once the impression of a vibrant personality and vividness of character, who in spite of her successes is completely unspoiled. Eyes of speedwell blue, that are full of shrewd thought, a nobly-modelled head, crowned by glorious waving hear, a buoyant, wellproportioned figure—this was the pleasant picture registered on the mind as one of the greatest of English actresses —one whom her country has delighted to honour with the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire, and the honorary degree of L.LD of Edinburgh University, as well as the freedom of Rochester, stepped from the train. Quite a company of people assembled to meet her on the platform, including the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr J. C. Stephens (representing the Shakespeare Club), members of the Otago Women’s Club, and other citizens prominent in artistic circles. Her voice is low in timbre, and very pleasant, her laugh frequent and infectious, for she sees fun in everything, and, indeed, shares the qualities which she attributes to her friend, George Bernard Shaw, of being one of those few people who are able to laugh and be serious at the same time. Dame Sybil’s abundant vitality enables her to rise to all the demands made upon her, and these are many in a tour like the present, when the plays are presented for short runs with frequent changes, for the company gives the greatest variety possible to its audiences. _ Reading and music, for she is a pianist of no mean order, are her recreations whenever opportunity offers, and these she shares with her family. The Cassou-Thorndike family is bound by a community of interests, for all except one son, John, who is a naval officer, a lieutenant at present in the naval air service, have adopted the stage as a profession. Christopher is travelling with the company, Ann accompanied her parents as far as Egypt, and then returned to complete a film in which she was appearing, while her sister Mary is playing “ Wendy ” to Jean Forbes-Robertson's “ Peter Pan,” and is also playing with her in ‘ Strange Orchestra,’ the outstanding new drama in London at present.

Here Dame Thorndike is sure to find most appreciative audiences, for Dunedin is well aware of its privileges in having an artist of such merit in its midst.