Miss Ruth Draper

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 11

Miss Ruth Draper

CHARACTER IMPERSONATOR Described by her admirers as “all things to all women,'’ Miss Ruth Draper, the famous American character impersonator, arrived at Auckland by the Awatea, leaving later for Wellington. Brown-haired, brown-eyed, so shy that she was seldom seen by fellowtravellers on tho ship, poised and quiet, with hands expressive of all tho humour and tragedy conveyed by her famous studies of women in every walk of life, Miss Draper told tho story of her work to a Herald interviewer. With a gift for improvisation, Miss Draper received her inspiration as a child from Miss Beatrice Herford and used to entertain her family and friends with character studies. It was not until 1920, however, that she commenced professionally in London the career that was to make her unique among actresses, an artist who, without elaborate make-up, scenery, costume or effects, could alono hold an audience spellbound. ... » Choice of Subjects. “I never copy people or mimic,” she said. “I impersonate only characters that I can resemble. Being midway between, I can do old women and young women, but I never attempt an impersonation of a man. I attempt foreign sketches only when 1 am certain of my accent/ 1 never attempt a negress, as her voice is too difficult to copy. “I am afraid I require constant concentration from my audiencos, as I go very fast and tho strain is apt to be tiring. I myself am stimulated by a performance aud very often feel much bettor at the end of my programme than at tho opening. Very often my listeners are required to visualise a railway station or a garden party without much assistance from me. Personal Tastes. “I liko music, but I am not musical,” Miss Draper continued. “I do not play bridge or golf, but am fond Of boating, riding and tennis.” She read mainly biographies and could speak several languages. Another characterise was her love of brown for clothes. Miss Draper seldom wore any other shado and for her stage appearances sho wore always brow T n lace in summer and brown velvet in winter. Known more for her acting than for her writing, Miss Draper has a reputation in the United States as an authoress and numbers many famous dramatists and artists among her friends. * f l really am a most unglamorous person,” said the visitor. “I never change my clothes for my different sketches, save for a shawl or a jacket. I carry my make-up in a piece of paper and never change that either. I have a normal woman’s interest in clothes although at times they bore me, and 1 never arrive at tho theatre until tho curtain is due to rise and I go to bed afterward.”

For her performances Miss Draper has been able to command from £I6OO to £IBOO per week for many years. She has given a command performance at Windsor -Castle and at Stockholm before the King and Queen of *Sweden.