EVELYN LAYE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22630, 23 July 1935, Page 16

EVELYN LAYE

The earliest recollections of Evelyn Laye are of the stage. Appropriately enough, her father, at the time of her birth, was appearing in a play entitled “A Little Ray of Sunshine.” To follow in her parent’s footsteps. Evelyn, at the age of 15, ran array from school to join a company which was play-

ing "Mr Wu.” When it disbanded she found difficulty in getting another part, but eventually succeeded in landing one in the West End production of “ Honi goit,” During the years that followed she Ijad to overcome the usual troubles that beset a young girl striving for a career, but her beauty, her attractive voice and her acting afcility could not fail for long to go unrecognised. Soon she was building up a strong reputation in musical comedy and reyue. Evelyn Laye appeared with great success in many well-known musical plays and musical comedies, but “Bitter Sweet ” was probably her chief triumph. It was in this operetta that she achieved such remarkable Success in New_ York and which influenced United Artists to engage her to play opposite John Boles in “One Heavenly Night.” Later she returned to England to appear in “Waltz'Time” and “Princess Charming,” but her most outstanding screen work is seen in the GaumontBritish production “ Evensong.” Filmgoers who know Evelyn Laye only as a singer in revue, musical comedy and musical film will be amazed at the superb cafe with which she carries through the first aria from “La Boheme.” in “ Evensong,” her first attempt at Italian grand opera. Miss Laye has never before sung in Italian. At the outset of the picture she had only the slightest acquaintance with this beautiful language. Following thre.e weeks’ work on the' musical technique of the song, she engaged a special Italian teacher, and, working for an hour or more each day, declared herself ready to record the aria seven days later. Her four weeks of careful preparation resulted in a success, which has been loudly applauded by those who see Miss Laye in this triumphant production.