BUSY ACTOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27092, 28 May 1949, Page 6

BUSY ACTOR

HEAVY TOUR REGARDED AS HOLIDAY STANLEY HOLLOWAY ARRIVES Mr Stanley Holloway, the popular British comedian, regards his present tour of New Zealand and Australia as something of a holiday, but if a performance every evening, with two matinees a week is to be regarded' in that light, it might be assumed that he is a busy man when at home in Britain. The assumption would be correct, for Mr Holloway is _ kept occupied with screen, stage, radio and recording work. Accompanied by his wife and small son, Mr Holloway arrived in Durtedin by air yesterday and he was accorded a civic reception in the afternoon. He

was welcomed to the city by the Deputy Mayor, Cr L. M. Wright, in association with Cr E. J. Anderson. “I may say that I approached Dunedin with some trepidation,” said Mr Holloway. “ I have been told that this was a Scottish city and that the audiences were very straight-laced. But I do not think I need to worry and I am very glad that our original plan to visit only Auckland and Wellington was not followed.” Mr Holloway said that he was proud to find that he was regarded as some, sort of ambassador from Britain, and said that New Zealand and Australia had set wonderful examples of loyalty to the Mother Country. Speaking of conditions in Britain he said that “ the position is still pretty sticky in regard to foodstuffs. That is why I keep urging all the kind people in these countries to keep on sending parcels. The people I would particularly like to see getting them,” he continued, “ are, the elderly folk living alone. It is difficult living on one ration book.” Speaking to the Daily Times in the afternoon, Mr Holloway appeared amused when a scene from one of his films, ‘‘This Happy Breed,” was recalled as a favourite of the reporter. “ Yes, now let me see how did it go? ” said Mr Holloway thoughtfully. He remembered the lines and repeated them,' complete with gestures. His son, Julian, will celebrate his fifth birthday in Hamilton next month. To help look after the child on the tour, Mr and Mrs Holloway have a nurse with them. It was unfortunate that Billy Mayerl, the popular pianist, had not been able to complete the tour with Mr Holloway, but while in Sydney Mr Mayerl’s wife had fallen from a tram and suffered delayed concussion. She was ”<"v seriously ill in Auckland.