DEATH OF FAMOUS ACTRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1931, Page 13

DEATH OF FAMOUS ACTRESS

MISS NELLIE STEWART. “ LOSS TO AUSTRALIAN STAGE. Aliss Nellifc Stewart, famous Australian actrees and former leading iftdy iii comic opera., who died ill Sydney the other day, was known throughout Australia and New Zealand as “Sweet Nell,’ owing to her inimitable portrayal of the title role in “Sweet Nell of Old Drury.’ The Into Aliss Nellie Ste Wart was fof years, in her heyday, tlio idol of theatregoers in this part of the world. Also she was immensely popular in England ftiid tlio United States. Born lit Alelbourno in 1800 ,siie was tlie youngest daughter of the late Air. Richtird Stewart, a Alelbourne actor-manager. Slid mado her first appearance oii tlie stage at the Haymarket Theatre, AlelboUl’lie, in November, 1863, as tile child, in “Tlie .Stranger”, with’ Air. and Airs. Charles Kean, under her fatlier’s management, As n child she frequently played in pftiitomitiie, burlesque, opera bouii'e and draina. Miss Stewart toured ill India and tliU United States in 1870, returning to Australia in 1880. At tlie Princess Theatre, Melbotirile, commencing in 1883, she played all the principal female, rolesln a long series of comic operas, including “Dorothy,” “Ma Alie Rosette,” “Paul Jones,” “Les Cloches de Cornevillc, “The Merry Duchess,” “The Mikado,” “lolanthe,” “Tlie Pirates of PelizancO,” “Tlio Sorcerer,” “La MftSCotte,” “La Petite Alademoiselle,” “La Fille du Tambour Aliijor,” “Madame Ftlvort,” “Olivette,” etc. She played in 35 comic operas in 13 years. The popular actress’ first appearance on the London stage was in February, 1802, in “Blue Eyed Suefttt” nt the Prince of Wales. She next appeared in London in “The Scarlet Feather” ns Mftrie at tlio Shaftesbury Theatre in November, 1807. At Christinas, 1808, she appeared at Drury Lane Theatre as Ganem in “The Forty Thieves,” after which she toured in America and Australia in drama and comedy, including “Zaza,” “Ciiiitlllo,” “Sweet Nell Of Old Dtury,” “Sweet Kitty Bellairs,” “What Every Woman Knows,” “When Knighthood Was in Flower,” “Du Barry,” etc. Site also appeared with success as Rosalalid in “As You Like It.” FIRST APPEARANCE AS NELL. u Aliss Stewart’s first appearance in “Sweet Nell of Old Drury”' at the Princess Theatre, Alelbourne, in February, 1002, marked the beginning of many successes in comedy, di’ilinft aiid tragedy. She was in “La Fille dti Tambour Atajor,” Which George Alllsgrove produced in 1880, and in December, 1883, she made her first opCra appearance Oii a big scale in the Gilbert aiid Sullivan “Patience.” But long before that she had played “RackStraw,” the teiior part, ftt the old St. George's H'all, ill Sydney. Slie retained a vivid memory Of her stage debut at the age of three with Charles Kean at Cite old Hay Market Theatre in Alelj, bourne, which’ saw so many of: her greatest tridiliplis. Afore than 20 years have passed Since she played lier first dramatic role iii “Sweet Nell of Old DrtirVj” which she revived ih Australia ift .1027 and again in 1920, when she also appeared as “Trilby.” In April last year Miss Stewart, wild was often called “the Peter Pan of the Australian stage,” appeared in “Romance” at the Comedy Theatre, Alelboiirne. Her attdiciices murveilcd at Iler freshness of voice and grace of moveiiidlit, jtist as they did in Aiiirch, 1927, When she made her triumphant return ns “Sweet Noll.’ In “Romance” She undertook a part Which she had for years Wished to play in Alelbourne, namely, that of Alargherita Cavallini, a renowlied opera singer, who bears lightly the minor encumbrances of a past and causes the unsophisticated TliufiinS Armstrong, yCctor of St. Giles’, to fall wildly in love with her. The part was played in Australia by Atadge Fabian in 1916. Doris Keane rose to stardoni in the role when she played it for the first time in NOW York. RECENT LIFE IN SYDNEY. Tlie gifted actress was married to Mr. R. G. Row, but tlie union later was dissolved. She leaves a daughter, Nuneye, who is married to Air. Mayne Linton. Botii are well known to New Zealand audiences, having touted this Dominion several times. Aliss Stewart’s brother, Air. Richard Stewart, 'formerly was a well-known member of tlie .managerial staff of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and its predecessor, Williamson iilld AJusgrove. Aliss Stewart had led a remarkably active life in Sydney iii recent years. She had assisted from time to time in many charitable objects, besides taking a keen interest in women’s clubs and the like. To the last she insisted upon attending to every detail herself before the first night of any production in wliich she appeared. Those who were associated with her at the rehearsals marvelled at her youth, even more (han those who saw her from the front of the house, tn spite of her age, she never seemed to tire and she was certainly just as much ft, stickler for detail as she oyer was aiid for perfection as well. Her “Sweet Nell” alone so endeared her to playgoers that, she will always be associated in their minds with that character. Her passing will leave a distinct sense of loss, not only in stage circles, but beyond tlio footlights.