LESLIE HENSON AMUSES COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 June 1937, Page 4

LESLIE HENSON AMUSES COURT

“SORRY TO LOSE HIM.” LONDON, May 6. There was a good' deal of laughter in the King’s Bench Division yesterday when Mr Leslie Henson, the coniedian, gave evidence in support of a claim by Mr Peter Haddon, the actor. Mr Haddon claimed damages from Mr Kurt Robitschek, theatrical producer, and Vaudeville Plays Ltd. He alleged breach of contract. At one period there was so much laughter that Mr Heuson humorously protested: “Really, I cannot get any attention.” When he had finished his evidence, Loid Hewart gave permission for him to leave the Court, remarking "although we are sorry to lose him.” The action concerned the engagement of Mr Haddon to appear in a sketch, “The Invisible Lover,” during the entertainment “Let’s Raise the 'Curtain” at Victoria Palace last September. Mr Frank Soskice, for Mr Haddon, said that his client claimed to have been engaged at £lOO a week Lor the run of the sketch, .with a minimum of four weeks. His case was that that contract was broken. The defence alleged that Mr Haddon, himself, gave up his rights in the contract.

It was arranged that Miss Florence Desmond was to take the part of the wife in the sketch, but ou the eve of the first performance, September 19. news was received that her husband, Air Campbell Black, had been killed in an aeroplane accident. Miss Desmond, therefore, could not appear. Mr Robitschek started “Let’s Raise the Cuiitaiu,’’ but the “Invisible Lover” was never included. Mr Haddon, giving evidence, said that because the sketch was not included he was without a stage engagement for some time. That was the first lime he experienced unemployment. Asked whether he sought, employment, Mr Haddon remarked: “When you get to a certain status or position in our job you have to wait for work to be offered'. Going about looking for work is ‘not done’.’’

ACTOR’S LIKE A GAMBLE. Mr E. Ryder Richardson, for Vaudeville Plays. Ltd.: Life as an actor is a gamble, is it not?—After a, time, in the theatrical profession, life is so uncertain that it becomes certain. (Laughter.) “What are your expenses as an octor?” Mr Richardson then asked. Lord Hewart (interposing): Do actors have expenses? (Laughter.) Mr Haddon: Well, there are commissions. tips, etc. One has to live up to Club a week' if one earns it. The expenses are. say. 3t) to IU per cent. Mr Leslie Henson then gave evidence. He was asked about the necessity tor an actor to book autumn engagements early. He replied that that was very necessary if an actor die. not want, to miss the season. Years ago. he continued, when he was doing comeri-parly work lor “a: lew pounds a week.'' lie lound thai. not finishing until late September or October, he “missed the boat’’ and the Winter season completely, “i hud to rely eii eiigugcincnto at i estaura uts at a guinea a time,’and other such' Masonic affairs,’’ be ’ remarked, amid

laughter. Later, as a'business man, I icalised I must get to London early. 1 ended a good engagement to do so and have been, here ever since.” (Laughter.) Leslie Henson spent live years with “The Tatters” and “Scamps” concert parties before his first London engagement —in “To-night’s the Night at the Gaiety in 1915. Continuing his evidence, Mr Henson'spoke rapidly, and reiterated that an actor must be alert to see that he did not miss the London season. Mr John Busse, for Mr Robitschek, said that his client made no contract with Mr Haddon. The only contract he made was with the company. The bottom was Unlocked out of the sketch when Miss Desmond could not play in it, and Mr Haddon agreed to surrender his rights under the contract, without reservation. The hearing was adjourned. Mr Kurt Robitschek, managing director of. Vaudeville Plays, Ltd., stated that the contract with Mr Haddon was made on behalf of the company. DOUBTS ABOUT SUCCESS. Mr Frank Soskice, for Mr Haddon: This sketch, if it had been produced, would probably have gone on for a long time? Air Robitschek smiled and replied: “Well, a man who buys a sweepstake ticket probably wins.” (Laughter). In answer to Lord Hewart, Mr Robitschek spoke of the ability of actors and actresses to learn then purls. . “Some can pick up a part in a lew hours,” he staled. Otheis lake weeks.”

Lord Hewart: And perhaps years. (Laughter.) Miss Florence Desmond, who woie a grey costume with pronounced white stripes, and a small white hat, then gave evidence. She said that after reading “The Invisible Lover she considered it was a bad sketch. Lord Hewart: But you undertook to play in it. “Yes.” Miss Desmond replied. “I decided to do iny best, but I was not very happy.” . Mr John Busse, for Mr Robitschek: How long do you think it would have lasted if you and Mr Haddon had played it? Mis Desmond replied: “I thought it might be a “flop.” Lord' Hewart: What does that mean? . Miss Desmond: I mean that it might not have been successful. It did not strike my English mind—it was a Continental sketch —as being very tunny, but 1 think, perhaps, when we worked it up, we might have put it over. “But.” Miss Desmond continued, “after that tragic occurrence in which my husband lost his liie, I did not feel that 1 could appear in the theatre at all. Later, realising that other artists were depending on the show, 1 said I would do my other act in Hie main show, but 1 could not possibly play in ‘Tile Invisible Lover.' ’’ Damages amounting to £ 15u, with costs, were awarded.

Judgment was entir ,, d accordingly Lord Hewart refused to allow a stay of execution pending a possible appeal.