OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 19, 17 October 1942, Page 7

OBITUARY

Dame Marie Tempest LONDON, October 15. Dame Marie Tempest died after an illness. With the death of Miss Marie Tempest goes one of the brightest ornaments or the English stage, a shining light in her more youthful days in musical comedy and light opera, and a brilliant artist in. high comedy when she forsook the Ivrical stage. The daughter of Edwin and Sarah Etherington. Marie Tempest was educated at a. London convent, and while still there studied singing under Manuel Garcia, winning bronze, silver and gold medals. She made her first appearance at the Comedy Theatre as Fiamettea in "Boceacio” in May, 1855,-and later at the Opera Comique, where her talent was soon recognized; she played success!ull\ in “Fay o’ Fire” and "Ermime. But her first real West End success _ came when she succeeded Marion Hood in the name part in Cellier’s opera "Dorothy. From light opera she dtifted naturally to musical comedy, and became a luminous star at the London Gaiety in "An Artist’s Model,” “The Geisha,’ "A Greek Slave” and “San Toy.” It was in "ban Toy” that she made up her mind to go in for comedy minus music. Her opportunity came through a difference with George Edwardes. then director of the Gaiety; he wanted her to wear little silk breeches and when she refused he said he would break her contract. That was what Marie wanted. Se took him at his word and left the Gaiety for ever. Almost immediately She secured a comedy tliat suited her and in a tew years became her own manager, a position she maintained for many years. , Fortunately, playgoers in New Zealand were able to rub shoulders with this inimitable actress. She first came to M elikr’ton at the end of 1911 and opened in “Penelope” on New Year’s night, and at once created a profound impression. She was found to be the ideal artist .m sophisticated comedy that called for finesse, subtlety and a keen sense ot comedy values. This the gifted actress displayed; lavishly in . Good Gracious Annabelle,” “The Marriage of Kitty, “Mr Pim Passes By,” and other clever comedies —an intellectual feast. She returned to New Zealand in IJ-L on this occasion supported by that notably good actor Mr. Graham Browne, when she was seen to advantage in ‘The Great Adventure,” “Duke ot„ Kdlicrank e, ;> “The Marriage o£ Kitty, Ot ’ “Outcast,” and“ Mary Goes When she was asked in what she considered the first essentials to stage success she said, ‘.‘Personality and sincerity—above all. sincerity, io nothing registers more quickly, more cer tainly, than insincerity either in. a sm a er ° r sSce Ct heT-return to England nearly 20 years ago. Miss Tempest has appeared in many successes, including Midsummer Madness,” "Hay Fever,” !( “Her Shop,” “The First Mrs. Eraser and “The Cat's Cradle.” Marie Tempest was three times married. (1) Alfred E. Izard, (2) Cosmo Gordon-Lenox, and (3) Graham Browne. Miss Tempest was 78 years of age.

MR. COSMO HAMILTON

LONDON, Ocober 15. The death has occurred of Mr. Cosmo Hamilton, dramatist and novelist.

A brother of Sir Philip Gibbs, the famous author and journalist, Mr. Hamilton assumed his mother’s surname by deed-poll. He produced many novels and some of the latter liaviug had world-wide presentation. At one stasje of his career he was editor ot the “World." He also held the rank ot captain in the Legion of Frontiersmen, and in 1935-39 he was a head warden and recruiting officer in the A.L.I. scheme.