THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18402, 21 May 1934, Page 2

THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES

I MISS NELLIE BRAMLEY | LOSSES ON TOURS' SYDNEY, May 8. The hardships and uncertainties of a theatrical life were related to the Registrar in Bankruptcy, Mr. Norman C. Lockhart, to-day by Miss Nellie Bamley, tho well-known actress, who said that in private life she was Mrs. William R.ussell. She stated that she had not lived with her husband for five years or more, during which time she had followed her calling as an actress. She referred to inter-State theatrical tours, one and two years’ seasons in capital cities, and one night stands in country towns,, when the takings were so meagre that they did not cover theatre rent and board bills. Replying to the Official Receiver, Mr. ('. F. W. Lloyd, as to the average salaries paid to her company during a recent Melbourne season, Miss Bramlcy explained that if the piece being played was .successful, and l>ox office receipts satisfactoy, full money was paid. On the other hand, if the receipts were not good “the gang took a cut.” Salaries in consequence were very much on a .sliding scale, but when success came |the way of the company thoso who laid renfained loyal to her received their pay.

Miss Brain kry said her unpaid, debts amounted to .£3250, and her assets worn £7OO. She added : “My Brisbane season of two years was a marvellous success, hilt I? lost money immediately after in a tour of Nortlr Queensland. I returned toj Sydney .to lose more money. I then, went to the West for 12 months. This was a dreadful experience, and I alslo lost money at Adelaide. I had a friglflUhl experience at Broken Mill. '’After a shaky start 1 ran for 67 weeks in Melbourne, and wo made £2OOO profit, but tlifis was spent in liquidating losses on thJo previous tours. I only drew £lO a week during the long Brisbane season,, and £8 a week for more than a year in Melbourne.”