EDNA MAY IN TEARS

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18342, 30 May 1931, Page 17 (Supplement)

EDNA MAY IN TEARS

MEETING OF THE TWO “BELLES.” STAGE MEMORIES AND A SPEECH. Miss Edna May saw “The Belle of Now York” In London last night for the first time as a spectator—and cried (says the London Dally Mail). When she appeared in her box she was immediately recognised! by the audience, which hurst into a storm of cheers. Seated with her were Miss Gertie Millar (now the Countess of Dudley) and the Earl of Derby. Throughout the performance Miss May, a very vivacious figure in a white satin frock, leant forward Intently gazing at the picture on the stage, with eyes that were wet with tears. On the Stage. Miss May, carrying a big bunch of roses, went on to the stage at the end of the performance and, with the whole company behind her, stood next to the present “Belle,” Miss Kathleen Burgis. She said to the hushed audience: “I have lost my voice. I always do when' I am nervous—and I have been nervous all day, To-night has brought back wonderful memories beautiful memories—sad memories.“I know you have all enjoyed it as much as I have, and I congratulate the company. 1 can’t say more. (Here Miss May broke down for a moment.) I never was any good at speeches.” “A Jolly Good Follow.” The curtain was lowered for a moment,' as if to shield her emotion from the audience. When it was raised again the orchestra struck up "For she’s a jolly ‘good fellow,” while Miss May stood looking at the audience with her arm around the shoulders of Miss Burgis. The audience cheered again and again. At last Miss May threw a ij kiss to them, and the curtain descended for the last time. Miss May confessed to a reporter that the experience had been a very "choky” one for her. “It brought the past back to me very vividly," she said. “1 remembered every line, every word of the songs, every lilt of the tunes. 1 felt, indeed, as if I was partly 'in the box and partly oii the stage acting it all over again as I used to do 33 years ago. “Before the curtain rose the present ‘Belle,’ Miss Kathleen Burgis came to see me. When she told me that she naturally felt a little nervous I told her that I' felt just as nervous myself. I 'thought that she played most delightfully, and it has been an evening of the greatest happiness to me.”