Sir George Tallis Visits London

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 8

Sir George Tallis Visits London

GIVES UNKNOWN ACTRESS A BIG SALARY

They are calling Sir George Tallis, who is the London representative of the Australian theatrical firm the Williamsons, “Tallis in Blunderland” because he was responsible for having both “Mr. Cinders” and “Coo-ee!” brought out of the provinces and furbished up for the West End stage, writes William Pollock in the “Daily Mail.” Now Sir George has given Mary Lawson a two-years contract at, it is said, £SO a week for the first year and £6O a week for the second year. Miss Lawson was one of the few “discoveries” I made last August during the search of seaside concert parties for potential new stage talent. During my tour Gracie Fields sent me a telegram in which she said, “Suggest you go to Frinton-on-Sea and watch Mary Lawson.” Hers was one of fully a hundred recommendations about various artists at various towns. Mary Lawson turned out to be a little girl of eighteen, full of that quick vitality so essential in musical plays and revues and with obvious technical qualifications. I knew within five minutes of first seeing her among “The Lido Follies” that she was a find. She was getting £4 a week at Frinton She has lots to learn —repose when she is on the stage but not speaking, for example—but I believe she is going to become a star.