“SWEET NELL OF OLD DRURY”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 8

“SWEET NELL OF OLD DRURY”

PASSING OP FAMOUS ACTRES. HER LIFE HISTORY. 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 late Miss Nellie Stewart was for year, in her heyday, the idol of theatregoers in this part of the world. Also she was immensely popular in England and the United States. Born at Melbourne in 1860, she was the youngest daughter of the late Mr Richard Stewart, a Melbourne actor-manager. She made

her first appearance on the stage at the Haymarket- Theatre, Melbourne, in November, 1863, as the child in “The Stranger” with Mr and Mrs Charles Kean, under her father’s management. As a child she frequently played in pantomime, burlesque, opera bouffe and drama.

: Miss Stewart toured in India and the ■ United States in 1879. returning to Australia in 1880. At the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, commencing in 1883, she played all the principal female roles in a long series of comic operas, including “Dorothy,” “Ma Mie Rosette,” “Paul • Jones,” “Les Cloches de Corneville,” ‘ ‘ The Merry Duchess, ” “ The Mikado, ’ ’ “lolanthe,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “The Sorcerer,” “La Mascotte,” “Le Petite Mademoiselle,’ ’ “La Fille du Tambour Major,” “Madame Favort,” “Olivette,” etc. She played in 36 comic operas in 13 years. The popular actress’ first appearance on the London stage was in February, 1892, in “Blue Eyed Susan” at the Prince of Wales. She next appeared in London in “The Scarlet Feather” as Marie at the Shaftesbury Theatre in November, 1897. At Christmas, 1898, 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,” “Camille,” “Sweet Nell of Old Drury,” “Sweet Kitty Bellairs,” “What Every Woman Knows,” “When Knighthood was in Flower,” “Du Barry,” etc. She also appeared with success as Rosalind in “As You Like It.” First Appearance as Nell. Miss Stewart’s first appearance in “Sweet Nell of Old Drury” at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, in February, 1902, marked the beginning of many successes in comedy, drama and tragedy. She was in ‘‘ La Fille du Tambour Major,” which George Musgrove produced in 1880, and in December, 1883, she made her first opera appearance on a big scale in the Gilbert and Sullivan “Patience.” But long before that she had played “Rackstraw,” the tenor part, at the old St. George’s Hall, in Sydney. She retained a vivid memory of her stage debut at the age of three with Charles Kean at the old Haymarket Theatre in Melbourne, which saw so many of her greatest triumphs. More than 29 years have passed since she played her first dramatic role as “Sweet Nell of Old Drury,” which she revived in Australia in 1927 and again in 1929, when she also appeared as • ‘ Trilby. ’ ’ In April last year Miss Stewart, who was often called ‘ ‘ the Peter Pan of the Australian stage,” appeared in “Romance” at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. Her audiences marvelled at her freshness of voice and grace of movement, just as they did in March, 1927, when she made her triumphant return as “Sweet Nell.” In “Romance” she undertook a part which she had for years wished to play in Melbourne, namely, that of Margherita Cavallini, a renowned opera singer, who bears lightly the minor encumbrances of a past anil causes the unsophisticated Thomas Armstrong, rector of St. Giles’, to fall wildly in love with her. The part was played in Australia by Madge Fabian in 1916. Doris Keane rose to stardom in the role when she played it for the first time in New York. Recent Life in .Sydney. The gifted actress was married to Mr R. G. Row, but the union later was dissolved. She leaves a daughter, Nancye, who is married to Mr Mayne Linton. Both are well-known to New Zealand audiences, having toured this Dominion several times. Miss Stewart’s brother, Mr Richard Stewart, formerly was a well-known member of the managerial stall of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and its predecessor, Williamson and Musgrove. Miss Stewart had led a remarkably active life in Sydney in recent years. She had assisted from time to time in ' many charitable objects, besides taking :i 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 which she appeared. Those who were associated with her at the rehearsals marvelled at her youth, even more than those who saw her from the front <>f the house. In spite of her age, she never seemed to tire ami she was certainly just as much a stickler for detail as she ever was ami 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 f in stage circles, but beyond the foot lights.