ACTOR'S HIGH FINANCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2667, 12 January 1916, Page 9

ACTOR'S HIGH FINANCE

THE RUINATION OF SEYMOUR HICKS. Mr. Seymour Hicks, the actor, during his examination in the Court of Bankruptcy recently, gave impressive details of the thousands of pounds which he said he had lost during his theatrical career. Since 1909, ho said, he had never been out of the hands of moneylenders. : An item of £2000 a year for household expenditure appeared in his accounts. To travel about the country, as he had done, with plays, cost about £40 a week. Hotel bills alone amounted to £20 a week. He had to maintain his position by staying in the best hotels. If he had spent less, referring to some of the claims on his purse, he should have been in a ! muddle. "If I were away from it all," he reflected, "and living quietly in the country, I could live on £2 10s. a week. (Laughter.) I only wish I could do it. No doubt my hotel expenditure has been a trifle high,' 1 added Mr. Hicks, ''but if you," ho said to tho Official Receiver, "had been at some hotels I have stayed at you would consider yourself lucky to get away with your socks." (Laughter.) In other days he had to pay a lot of incidental expenses, make small loans to people by way of gift, and so on. "But now all is changed. Ever since I was ruined it has been quite different. I am not asked for any money by anybody. I merely walk about, and people, seeing I am now poor, come to me and say, 'What will you have?' " (Laughter.) "When were you ruined?" asked tho Official Receiver.

Mr. Hicks: Ever since you took me in hand. (Laughter.) These are some of the theatrical ventures Mr. Seymour Hicks mentioned, with the consequential losses: — £ Production of "The Little Duke" at the Hicks Theatre 7,000 Erection of Queen's Theatre and Globe Theatre 8,000 Building of Aldwych Theatre ... 6,000 Management of "Tho Gay Gordons" 6,000 "My Darling" production 6,000 He was touring the provinces with the comedy, "Broadway Jones," when the outbreak of the war caused the tour to bo cancelled. . As to the bliilding of theatres, Mr. Hicks said the Queen's and Globe cost to erect £120,000. Two-thirds of the cost was raised on mortgages of the leases. The mortgagees foreclosed and his shares became valueless. The Aldwych cost £60,000.. On this also tho mortgagees foreclosed. From July, 1910, until September, 1913, ho played with a company producing sketches at music-halls, and received a salary varying from £220 to £350 a week, out of which lie had to pay expenses averaging £70 to £80 a week. After payment of interest on loans and portions of debts he had as a rule about £30 a week left for himself. The examination was concluded, and Mr. Hansell, the debtor's counsel, stated that the scheme of arrangement provided for payment of a secured composition of 6s. Bd. in the £1, but when happier times came he would go on paying until 20s. in the £1 had been given.