NO BELIEF IN FAIRIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 10

NO BELIEF IN FAIRIES.

SOPHISTICATED CHILDREN.

EFFECT ON IPANTOMIME.

LADY MAXWELL'S PLAINT.

Charming and versatile as aro the ladies who shino in pantomime as "principal boys,'' it is not often that ono of them possesses tho added distinction of having a title, as is the case with Nora Delany, the dashing Robin Hood of "Tho Babes in tho Wood," who in private lifo is Lady Maxwell. Nora Delany, a vivacious, darkhaired Irish girl, has beon known to London theatre-goers for over 12 years, but Lady Maxwell only made her bow to Australians toward tho end of last year. Sho became Lady Maxwell in 1917, marrying Captain Sir William Maxwell, K.8.E., a distinguished traveller, publicist, and writer, who received his commission in the Oallipoli campaign, and in years gone by accompanied various Kings, princes, and Emporors on their jaunts round the world. He and Lady Maxwell took another on their own account two years ago —"just to seo if I really could make a break from tho stago life," said tho lady yesterday, "but it was no use, I love the stage; it is my work in Hfo, and although I suppose I. shall havo to settle down t 0 domestic lifo later on, tho time hasn't como yet. Somo day, I hope to play in real comedy. I love the 'panto' work—l have been principal boy every Christmas at Homo for tho past 10 years-— and havo also appeared in revue and variety work, but comedy ia my ambition." Lady Maxwoll does not particularly favour tho typo of pantomime that has boon evolved for tho benefit of tho present generation. "Not nearly enough of the real fairy-story about it," sho observed, " and it was tho fairy part of it that wo all loved so as children. I think it is a pity tho oid-3tyl 0 pantomime' has so completely become a thing of tho past, and tho present mixture of vaudeville turns, songs, and spectacular effects taken its place. Possibly thero is even loss cf tho original themo of tho story in the Australian pantomime than in the English, and I believe 1 havo found ottt tho reason tho children don't believo in fairies! And I'll tell you why. You have no twilight. In Australia, and I suppose it's the same in Now Zealand, the little children play out in tho.sunshine almost right up to bedtime In England, they havo to como in about four o'clock, and then there are the hours before they are put to bed, when they aro amused by fairy stories, and they grow to lovo them and to lock forward to them in a way I don't beli«v* Australian children ever do. They are so grown up, so independent and sophisticated tho children I havo seen over here! They d laugh in your face if you talked to them of fairies. And I think it is this attitude tha* ia represented in your pantomimes." *

Ladv Maxwell spoke with enthusiasm of her visit to New Zealand, long delayed, but Tor many years past eagerly anticipated. " All over the world I have heard sims the praises of New Zealand," she said, " rand in Australia T was ,'issured that you were easily the best-fed people in the world. . . . Not that that means much to an actress," sho added with something 1 of a sigh—" although lam placing a great deal of faith in your Auckland hills!" With regard to the future, Lady Maxwell said there was but little prospect of another visit to this part of the world fof a good many years to come. " I am booked up until 1930," she explained, "and even as a result of Che present trip, am bavins to pay « penalty for another contract I didn't keep!"