FOR DRURY LANE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 9

FOR DRURY LANE

CLAUDE DAMPIER Ag COMEDIAN FORMERLY IN NEW ZEALAND An actor whose first London stage job, at the age of 18, was that of a chorister at Drury Lane —salary, 30s a week—is to be the principal comedian in the new musical show at"this theatre. He is Claude Dampier (in New Zealand years ago with the “Dandies of various hues), the popular “silly ass” of radio variety -who has lately been making a name for himself .on the films. -I v Just 40 years will have elapsed between that humble debut of his at the Lane and his return as a fully fledged star. There was 15 years of hard and often discouraging work before, determined to break fresh ground, Dampier'-sailed for Australia to organise; open-air-theatres at the remuneration of £0 a week.

Mr Dampier soon found that tijring a Professional Idiot was,the paying side of his activities. To be 'priejjso, itbrought him in £450 a week ip Australia, New Zealand and.’.South for nearly 20 years. j$ 'i - -<A • THE UTMOST NONSENSE Then he came back to Englary3, and was duly “discovered.” Radio, stage variety, and then film audiences began to laugh at- thq man with the lugubrious face which would suddenly Mae illuminated by an apologetic smile,' and by the slow.hesitating,drawl.witliywhich he would utter the utmost nonsense. And now Claude Dampier lias got his biggest chance —as chief comedian in a theatre where the. humorous side jf the productions has" always been the toughest nut to crack, and where sue? cess accordingly brings all the more honour, i ->• O His role will be that of a dialer in real estate who exploits the possibilities of a “near Eastern” country/this time christened Moronia--. !» Binnie Hale i,s the leading lady, her role being that of a young English girl, and Jack Whi'tin'g (who was W good in “Anything Goes”) will be the leading ■nan; while that’ most popular, of “Lane”soubrettes, Charles - Hairdwicke, is returning to the fold in an important mart. .' ’. h.