MADGE ELLIOTT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22741, 29 November 1935, Page 15

MADGE ELLIOTT

CYRIL RITCHARD'S CHARMING WIFE Theatrical people of long standing have a surprising air of naturalness about them. They appear to regard the world with eyes more candid than those of the rest of us, and consequently see in everybody they meet a personality worth exploration. Possibly it is because they have to play so many different parts in their profession that they unconsciously make a study of every new type with which they come in contact; but whatever the cause, they abound in what seeme to be an amount of unfeigned interest which allows them to greet newcomers with a warmth and freshness leaving behind it not a suspicion of insincerity. Madge Elliott —or, in the light of a recent wedding ring, and an engagement circlet holding a magnificent sapphire supported on square-cut diamonds, Mrs Cyril Ritchard —is no exception to this rule. She gives an impression of individuality, artistic sense, and great affection, andin that her interest in everything _ and everyone around her is as real as it is unbounded, is quite charming. She has returned to Dunedin after several years spent partly in London and partly in her own country. Australia, but seems little different from the slim, sylphlike girl whose dancing in " The Cabaret Girl" was such a revelation when she was here before. When I met her she had exchanged the Russian tunics, the chiffon draperies, and the regal court gown of "Roberta" for a russet-coloured knitted suit and a peasant blouse; but her hair was just as fair and pretty and her eyes a s blue as behind the footlights, and when she moved it was with that same particular grace which has alwavs marked her. out on the stage, aim will belong to her until she dies. It is really the result of legs a little longer than the body, but few women possess it. She said she was glad to be back in the South Island after 10 years' absence. Life during that time had been lived chiefly on the London stage, where she and her talented husband had, little by little, become known and recognised, until tfiey were as much the idols of London audiences as of audiences in Australia and New Zealand. Madge Elliott was born in England, but, having gone out to Australia when she was 18 months old, and stayed there till 10 years ago, she regards herself as an Australian rather than an Englishwoman. Her husband—Cyril Ritchard —was born in Australia, but has travelled and played in America as well, and also, 'of course, in England. For seven years he and she were in various musical comedies on London stages, after which thev returned to their native land and announced their engagement. I was told—though not by Madge Elliott—that Cyril Ritchard's ambition to dance with Madge Elliott dates from his boyhood. Certainly they are a delightful pair to watch on the stage, and apparently were destined for partnership in a matrimonial sense also, for they make just as delightful a picture off the stage. This New Zealand tour has really come in the middle of their honeymoon, which, when the tour is over, is to be continued in Honolulu and America. But they are making the most of it by means of a private car which they bought in Auckland, and are using to travel in from one centre to another. The advantage is first that they can be together and second that they can please themselves when and where they stop on the way, for Madge Elliott's chief passion is a love of scenery, New Zealand scenery seeming to be her special weakness. " That drive from Timaru to Dunedin! " she exclaimed. " Simply perfect! And snow on the mountains even though H is summer time! " She spoke of it as being one of the loveliest drives she had ever had, and even considered the proposition of returning to the north, after the season was finished at Invercargill, through the Lakes district, so that she might see more of the scenery for which New Zealand is so famous. With a life like hers, strenuous and exacting, there is little time for relaxation or indulging one's own private fancies. So Madge Elliott, who has to keep her pet recreations—swimming, lawn tennis, and surfing—for holiday time, is taking a particular pleasure in this theatrical tour, for here, at least, she can pander to one of her fancies —that of enjoying scenery. "We have crowds of friends in New Zealand," she said. In Oamaru, on their return, she and her husband will stay with Mr and Mrs Ken Austin at Elderslie, at Christchurch they will be the guests of Mr. and Mrs Harold Greenwood, and in Wellington their host will be Mr Eric Riddiford. While in Dunedin they are also being much entertained. But to have Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard as guests would be an honour to any home, so likeable are they as people and so talented as actors and dancers.

It is a pleasure to see that they have not changed their type of dancing from what it was originally, that Madge Elliott wears long full dresses instead of short frocks to dance in, and that grace and long steps are the keynote of their movements instead of awkwardness and jazzing feet. " Roberta," which will finish the season to-morrow evening, has delightful dances in it, but so have " High Jinks " and " Our. Miss Gibbs." If Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard are glad to bej here wfth us, certainly we ■ are as glad to have them back again. " Do you intend to leave the stage now that you are married? " I asked Madge Elliott, as I was leaving her. But it was Cyril Ritchard who made the reply. "No!" he said. "Never, never! We shall stay on it as long as we can, and shall come back, year after year, until we are too old to move! " —So now we know.

mm