COURAGEOUS ACTRESS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 August 1935, Page 6

COURAGEOUS ACTRESS

CANCELLED PERFORMANCE. KEEPS FAITH WITH PUBLIC. AUCKLAND, Aug. 2,3. A courageous feminine figure. Miss Nellie .Bramley, the leading lady in the company which played up ito Thursday night in His Majesty’s Theatre, stood outside the unexpectedly closed doors of the theatre to-night and advised disappointed patrons that there would be no performance, some ot the other members of the company having sailed for Australia by the Alarama. it had been advertised that' the company, of which Mias Bramley is lead, was to appear in the final presentation of “Fair qnd Warmer,’’ and that this play would give place tomorrow to f ‘Polly . With a Past.” wfiich would be presented during the coming week. The performance was ea;nealled without public warning.

Miss Bramley, who was op salats, and took no part or responsibility in the management of the company’s New Zealand tour, refused to sail, and instead decided to attend at ttye theatre in order to make a personal explanation to the disappointed patrons. Miss Bramley’s good name as at actress was at stake, which she considered liersejf in doty hound to protect, and she did this very successfully From 7.30 until well after 8 o’clock, in the dimly-lit entrance of the theatre, she went from group to group expressing her apologies for any alterations that might have been caused to the patrons' plans, “New Zealand has always been sc good to me that I felt I must tell you all how sorry I am that this has happened.” she said. “I had no part in the decision to leave, and it came as a complete shock to me to-day. I cancelled the berth that had been engaged for me rather than think I had failed to do all I could to avoid letting my friends down.” It was obviously an ordeal? for her, and everyone, ip spite of their natural disappointment, responded in-v.a way which showed that her action was appreciated. Apart from Miss Bramley’s personal appearanee there was no indication to the public why the theatre was in darkness. Even the fishers and doorkeepers on their arrival received a surprise.