VERSATILE ACTRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1931, Page 2

VERSATILE ACTRESS

CAREER OF NELLIE STEAVART. APPEARED AVHEIN A CHILD. The present generation knows Nellie Stewart only as a clever actress in comedy and drama, but that was only part of tire rrul Nellie Stewart who death was recorded on Alonday last. She was tlhe daughter of the, late Mr Richard Stewart, theatrical manager in the ’7O As and ’Bo’s in Australia. He it was who saw signs of talent in the members of bis family when they were little more than children, and, seeking to profit thereby, formed a little, company called the “Rainbow Revels”—a. unr-i -. song and sketch show, which toured Australia in. the late '7o’s, and even went as far* afield as the Orient. Real “troupers” of the old school were these children before they were half way through their ’teens. There were besides Nellie, Maggie (who married Signor Olrnnhosi), Docv Stewart (who married Henry Harwood, afterwards a partner of Mr Stewart’s), and Richard, afterward well-known in New Zealand as manager of J. C. AA’iHl-vm-son, Ltd., and who still represents that firm ns manager of the Criterion Theatre, Sydney. Nellie did not dawn upon the world a.s an actress of promise until her appearance ns the drummer boy in “La Eille du Tambour Major,” which broke all previous records -in the history of the business In Atellvnroe bv running for over a hundred nights. It was her beautv, wit, and charm which made the part outstanding, and was the stenping-off -nlncc to a really great, if somewhat unfortunate, career. IN LTGHT OPERA. Alias Stewart played in many of the old opera houffes, including “L;v Ma.«oottee,” “Boccacio,” “Olivette,” and in 1886 or 1887 was in the cast of the operas “Bbhadil” and “Estrella” (composed • by the late Air Luscombe Searelle, who came originally from Chritchurch, which were produced not without success by Wiliamson Garner and Musgrove throughout Australia. Later still Miss Stewart, who had developed a sweet, refined soprano voice, which accorded well with her appealing blonde beauty, clayed many of the roles in the Gilbert-Sullivpn repertoire. I have seen many Yum Yums in “The Mikado,” but never one i to compare with Nellie Stewart. Nothing could have been more bewitching than to see this charming actress, singer, and stage beauty in “The Moon and I” scena. at the op?ning of the second act in this opera. She was also a wonderful Edsie Maynard in “The Yo-eman of the Guard.” But in the domain of light onern I do not think any primn donna in this class of opera has ever approached the acme of charm which this artiste, exerted *in t l, ose delightful lw’-oal works, “Ma Mie Rosette” and “M’m'selle Nitouche.” AVho enn ever forget her, Witchery as she sang Auumt Junckers interpolated song, “T AVas Dreaming.” in the former (a number 'which All's Gladvs Moncrieff lia.s been recording lately V while in the daintv, during, naughtiness of “Nitouche” she was simple adorable.

A SHATTERING BLOW. \ • ■ Curiously', enough, though talented in the highest degree, and gifted with a glorious Voice and great beauty, Miss Stewart nevea’ had the luck to succeed to appreciable extent outside the colonics. With the birth cf her daughter,', Mbs Nnncye Stewart, she lost her singing voice. This was a shattering blpw to a woman then in the prime of Ufa, with still a great lyric career before her. Other women it may have crushed, but Nellie Stewart was rot of that order. She simnly set herself the task of making a place for herself in another phase of the theatrical business. ,How well she accomplished that task many hundreds of thousands of people can testify today. Her Nell in “Siyeet 'Ny-11 of Old Drury.” her Trilby in De Manrier’s play of that name, her Kittv in “Sweet Kittv Rellnirs.” her “Zaza.” her “Camille.” her “Du Barry” in Barrie’s play “What Every Woman Knows,” and “When Knighthood was in Flower,” made for her a name that will live for all time in the memories of , living playgoers. Of recent years Miss Stewart, through sheer necessity, had made occasional reappearances in “Sweet Nell of Old Drury,” in which roguish part she was still able to show t flashes of her old brilliance, j . .So departs the. actress whom Australia has held very close to its ng- ■ gregate heart. There have been Nellie Stewairt racehorses. Nellie Stewart hats, and Nellie Stewart bangles (the plain gold circlets for the arm), and in every way she was a real idol of the public.