DUPONT’S DAUGHTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1921, Page 3

DUPONT’S DAUGHTERS

ETHEL IRVING' CRITICISED. LONDON, Nov. 18 The limits within which a dramatic criticism is justifiable was raised in Miss Ethel Irving’s libel action against the “Sunday Times.” Commenting on the “Three Daughters of Monsieur Dupont,” Sydney Carroll, an Australian. said : “Under proper control Miss Irving is one of our finest comediennes, hut latterly I have found her art is sadiv undisciplined, and every shred of reserve is scattered. When she played the woman who wants her children from her ex-husband, and was refused them, she became a raging, frothy epileptic, rolling on the Hour and biting her toenails.” The defence claimed that it was a fair and bona lide comment.

Miss living, in Her evidence, said that the criticism entirely departed from the strict fact. There was no frothing at the mouth, and she did not roll on the Hour, and never attempted to bite her toenails. She added that it was needless to say that she was wearing shoes and stockings. She merely dropped to the floor and lay sobbing.

Mr Patrick Hastings. K.C.. crossexamining the witness, cited one ot Bernard Shaw’s criticisms of Mdme. Sarah Bernhardt: “She had a smile like a barmaid working a beer-handle, ami “She was so made up, rouged and incarnadined iluu she resembled a pillar-box.” This left the impression that the critic wanted to post a letter, he said. These were merely figures of speech. Miss living said that there was no wav of knowing if the critic was im'iely

jesting. A settlement by consent closed the action. The defendant’s counsel, m a statement, said (he critic of the newspi, per honestly formed an unfavourable opinion of the performance, and his remarks merely convoyed “the impression of exaggeration.”

Miss Irving's counsel stated that s’> merely wished to vindicate lief rcpula lion as an actruss.