Irene Vanbrugh Jubilee

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23109, 6 August 1938, Page 20 (Supplement)

Irene Vanbrugh Jubilee

ALFRED NOYES POEM READ BY NOEL COWARD Spoken as a prologue by Noel Coward at the Irene Vanbrugh jubilee matinee held at His Majesty's Theatre, London, on June 20, a poem recalling the suitresses oi' the great British actress' 50 years on the stage was written by the poet, Alfred Noycs. Miss Vanbrugh is well known in New Zealand, which she has visited on tour in some of the plays mentioned by Mr. Noyos. The following is a short extract from the poem:— "Fifty years bnck—or was it yesterday?— In 'As You Like It,' London saw her play A shepherdess, named Phoebe. . . . "The play nenrs Its end before that shephordess appears, Tho player is too young for faine; and yot At hor 'first words her listeners forget The make-believe, the trappings and the stage, Green boughs are round thera, and the golden age. "Ireno Vanbrugh—nt that name thoro rise In all our hearts to-day, wluit memories, What legends of a London, long ago . . But she —our living best, through all thoso Has moved old London's heart to smiles and And I with timeless art that grows not BrlngsSiack our youth, our London's age of Whon°'sfio was Hoso Trolnwncy, or Lotty Shell, _, , ... _• „ Rosamund in 'The Liars.' or Miss kell Of New Orleans. • . "Whether Rho played tho subtlest of her sex. Or breathed soft nothings to Tho Gay Lord She mado'them live, what over part sho took— Clara in 'Money,' Kate in 'Tho Twelve Pound Belinda, Viceroy Sarah, or Amy Grey, Flashing from gay to grave, and grave to gay. And carrying London with her all tho way.