NOTABLE STAGE WEDDING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 11

NOTABLE STAGE WEDDING

Tho London correspondent of the "Telegraph" writes that all London, social,' political, and artistic was present at theweduiug, on July 11, of Miss Viola Tree to Mr. Alan Parsons, at St. Martin-in-the--I'ield, a church laiuiliar to all visitors iu London. It was such a. popular wedding that no crowd of the same extent has been seen except at a I'oyal marriage. 'J'he line orchestra from His Majesty's Theatre were placed up in tho gallery close to (ho organ, and played some charming things, selections irom "The Jlcistersingcrs," , ' "Tannhnuser," "Lohengrin," and so on, until the approach of tho bride and her father, Sir Herbert Tree, set the bells ringing, and the choir began to sing. Sir ■ Walter Pnrrat presided at the organ. Viola Tree looked a picture in her artistic wedding gown, which was a model o'f rich simplicity. The cut of her gown was of the Empire period, a copy of Mario Louise's bridal toilette on her marriage- to Napoleon tho under-dress was of rich, soft, white satin, made very narrow, with a ruche of satin at the hem; the bodice was very higb-waisted, with sleeves short, with ,i puff at the arniholo and long mittens, which sho took off when the ceremony began. Over the train of white satin was hung a. magnificent lace shawl from the shoulders, it sash of satin with lace insertions hanging from the fide of her wiiist, one of the usual "scarf-belts." And on her head a handsome Brussels lace veil of exquisite "old" tint. Her hair was dressed to suit the period of lier. gown with a filet of orange blossom closely binding her hair. She carried no bouquet, but had a white covered prayerbook- instead. The bridesmaids were in white charmeuse frocks with primrose yellow sleeveless coats of ninon, Itu'ssian caps of white pleated tulle with yellow bands across the front. The tulle caps enclosed at the back the entire coiffure. Mr. Asqnith and his wife were in the front seat facing the altar—proud parents, for their little son Anthony was the page, dressed in a white satin suit, with tails turned back with yellow. A very slonder curlyheaded little boy, perfectly grave and attuned'to his duties. Miss Elizabeth Asquith was' one of the bridesmaids, rather like her mother, slender, dark-haired, with aquiline features. Mr. and Mrs. As'quith went into the vestry after the ceremony, and in company with the Duke and Duchess of Rutland signed the register. The Bishop of London married the young pair. As a function one might point a moral

as to the position the stage has taken in social life in this country. Neither Sir Herbert nor Lady Tree claims to be anything but a lady and gentleman exercising their profession as actor and actress. They have always lived domestic lives, and kept house, humbly at first, and more lavishly as fortune favoured them. But it is as actor and actress at the head of , their profession that they take their stand. And see the result. A duke's daughter is bridesmaid. Lady Diana Manners, a "true daughter of the gods, divinely tall and most divinely fair," she is an incarnation of Botticelli's Primavera. The son and daughter of the Prime Minister of England as bridesmaid and page, and the Premier himself signing the register. Tho French Ambassador was there, and nearly every member of the- profession to which/the Trees belong, as well as judges, barristers, physicians of note, and many members of the aristocracy. Truly a'red-letter day for the British stage.