SYDNEY GIRL’S SUCCESS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1929, Page 8

SYDNEY GIRL’S SUCCESS

LEAD IN ‘.‘SHOW BOAT.”

SYDNEY, Sept. 19,

Romances of the Australian stag( are few and far between in these days when imported stars receive all the plums. 'Still, they are not averse to giving Australian artists a chance when the opportunity occurs. Those opportunities are so few that the success of the Sydney girl who has stepped into stardom in the J. 0. Williamson production, the “Show Boat,” at Melbourne! is all .the more welcome, for it is something very real in the realm of. success.

The new star is the practically unknown Gwyneth Laseelles. ■ aged 18, who is popular among a very limited circlo at the seaside suburb of Manly.- 'where she appeared with great success in a number of musical comedies that were staged by the Manly Musical and Dramatic Club. Last November she made a great hit in Maud Fane’s part in the popular “Kissing Time.’’ and after that she went on the professional stage in search of a greater measure of success. She has succeeded to a degree unexpected by herself and by her most intimate friends. And incidentally the number of her friends has been vastly increased, for when she made her debnt as the star of the company she received t a wonderful reception, 'which, her subsequent performance showed, was justified. Miss Lasaejles has thus stopped into the shoes of a very highly-paid American star, who will return home. She has got one of the plums of the profession, but it would be wrong to say that she was merely lucky. There is said to be no luck in such matters. Miss Laseelles lias always been a hard worker, . bent on a stage ■ career, and everlastingly preparing for it with the aid of her mother. “I always knew that I would go on the stage,” she said, “and I have always imagined myself in leading parts. AH the same,' .the realisation of my dreams is overwhelming. I know that I am extremely lucky, but I am not going to get a swelled head simply because I have been placed in this position. I have always worked hard. ,and I always will work hard, because I love the stage, and because the more I\ learn the more I realise that there is something more to Ram. I have seen enough to know that the person who thinks that she has - learned enough it finished-” >

The young star said that she had always cherished the idea of writing a book. Now that slic had reached the pinnacle of stage success she would do something for her less fortunate comrades. She would help them to see stage life as it really is. It would be a book of warning to those who’ thought that the path was strewn with roses. Her advice to all young women who aspired to stage honours was to get as much education as possible before starting out on a job. And they should read good books, too. Her favourite author was Galsworthy.