STORIES OF MY. STAGE CAREER

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14133, 7 August 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

STORIES OF MY. STAGE CAREER

Miss Lilt Elsie is too well-known to the theatre-going public and to the vast number of picture postcard collectors *. to need very much introduction. She started her career in chorus and small parts in the provinces before playing the Princess in " The Chinese Honeymoon" at the Strand Theatre, London, shortly after which she appeared in. " Lady Madcap" under Mr. George Edwardes. She first played at Daly's .in The Little Michus" in 1905. and returned to that theatre about two years ago to make for herself as " ihe Merry Widow" an undying reputation as one of the most charming and most fascinating actresses that have ever appeared in musical comedy. It ie not too much to say that to Mies Lily Elsie's acting and personality the enormous success of the piece has been due to no small extent. How people get the idea that an actress life is; an easy one I cannot imagine, yet there are still a vast number of people who look upon actors and actresses merely as fortunate people who receive enormous salaries, and who, instead of having to work all day to earn them, merely have to amuse themselves and the public for a few hours each evening and at a matinee once a week. I wonder what these unenlightened ones would say if they for a time changed: their own: professions *■ for that of the stage, and experienced; as all actors and actresses have to experience, the drudgery of the early years of apprenticeship which must be served, the disappointments, the anxieties, the hopes, and fears, the tiring rehearsals,'and the monotony of nightly appearances when exactly the same things have to be said and done again and again. I can assure them that the theatrical profession is quite as hard work as any other, and that the large salaries, even in those rare cases where they are received, can never quite wipe out and make up for the early years of poverty and hardship ,which so often have to be endured. "

Especially since I have been playing the part of the Mlerry Widow at Daly's, a part which, owing- to the enormous success of the piece, has brought- my name before the public a good deal, I have been simply bombarded with letters from all sorts and conditions of girls who regard the stage as an easy place on which to get a footing, and who ask my advice as to whether they should give up their present employment—that is to say, in cases where they are in employment join the profession. Dissatisfied with . their present lot in life, they seem to imagine that the stage is a sort of Utopia, where they cannot fail to be happy. Alas, those views generally end in entire disillusionment! Speaking of letters for advice reminds me "of a most amusing epistle which reached me while I was playing the part of the Princess in "The Chinese Honeymoon" at the Strand. It came from a- girl in an A.B.C. shop, who had evidently been to the theatre, and, liking the piece, thought the tea eh ops in China would probably be much more entertaining places than those in London. "Will you please tell me," she said, ; " whether *1 should : have much difficulty in getting a place out there if I could save enough money to pay my passage? I think, Miss, China must- be a lovely place, and I think the way they dress out there would just suit, my style." This is a very fair sample of the silly sorb of epistle that one constantly gets, and it is often hard to tell whether they are prompted by ingenuousness or mere stupidity. Another recollection I have of "The Chinese Honeymoon" production was ■in connection with a very curious and somewhat embarrassing present that I received unexpectedly one day from someone who to this day is unknown to me. This took the shape of a Persian oat, which was delivered one evening at the stage door in a wicker basket, where it had apparently been shut up for hours without any food until it became -perfectly mad. The moment I opened the basket it sprang out, severely scratched my arm, and tore round my dressing-room, eventually hiding * under a table in the corner behind some hat boxes, where she spat vigorously* at everyone who approached her. However, a saucer of milk somewhat improved her temper, until at last she permitted me to take her in my arms, when I found round her neck there was tied an ordinary luggage label, on which was written the one word "cat!" Whether this present was sent me bv some sweet girl " friend" whom I had offended in some way I do not know, but at any Tate, as I had no particular use for a cat just then, and as that one seemed peculiarly untamable, I speedily passed it on to someone else. But a by far more horrible experience in the way of gifts was one that I had while playing in " The Little Michus" at Daly's. It was sent me by an Eastern potentate, who had been introduced to me by a mutual friend, and took the shape of a horrible, striped snake curled at the bottom of an elaborately decorated box. I shall never forget my horror when I removed the lid, and the scream that I gave as I rushed from my dressing-room still echoes through the passages behind the stage. Of course, one's early days, days when, in my case I toured the provinces with various companies' and played in all sorts of theatres in different towns, are responsible for many incidents which it is pleasant and amusing to recall now. I remember very well, being fearfully hurt and annoyed at something which occurred in a small North-Country town. The hall, dignified by the name of theatre, in which we were playing .was, fairly well filled, and all went well until the middle of the second act. But as I held the audience spellbound until, as I flattered mvself, they hung upon each syllable that fell ; from my lips, the local volunteer corps happened to pass outside, headed by a brass band. Alas! this counter-attraction proved too much for most of the audience, who rushed pellmell'into the street to see " the boys." I was so utterly mortified that I at once " dried up," and fled from the scene, feeling very much inclined to cry. And I assure you my annoyance and pique were very real at the time, although I can look back with amusement at the incident now.

I remember a very funny thing happening once during the production of a. melodramatic piece at some Midland town. The scene was a garret, and the hero, dressed in rags, was making, as far as I can remember, a most impassioned speech about the pitiable fate that- had always followed him, " Ah. me!"—l think this was some-, thins: like the line he had to speak How am I to get food for my wife and children? They are starving, starving!" No sooner had'the words left hie lips than, a wag in the gallery shouted out: Why don't vou pop your diamond ring, suv-nor?" Sure enough. the actor had omitted to. remove from his finger a very nice diamond . ring which he was in the habit of wearing, and, needless to say, the audience were: convulsed with laughter: in fact, I think this sally was greeted with more applause than all "the " situations" in the play put together. . ■ ■