BRITISH ACTORS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 July 1930, Page 9

BRITISH ACTORS

PENALISED IN U.S.A

Largo numbers of English actors and actresses are out of work in the United States through the decision of the Equity Association that only 100 per cent. Americans can play in American. stock companies.

So says Miss Jsobel Elsoni, who has just returned from America. Miss Elsom was playing in a stock company in Denver, Colorado, in July last year, when the Equity Association intervened, and she had to cancel her contract. ,■ ■ She remained with her husband, Mr Maurice Elvcy,, in the United States until a few weeks ago. “Mr F. Gilmour, the president of Equity was very nice about it,” said Miss Elsom. “He said that English actresses were wanted in America, but Equity, having passed this rule, could not possibly make an exception in my case. I think he was light. I don’t blame members- of the profession in America for protecting themselves; we should do the same here, where the stage is much more overcrowded than it is there.” . Miss Elsom explained that although in stock companies the cast had to be all-American, in other shows English artists were allowed to appear in one play every six months.

“For instance, if you were given a part in a play and it ran two years you could remain for that time. But if it ended ill two nights you would have to wait six months before taking another engagement.”