EMPIRE MEALS ON THE STAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 January 1931, Page 7

EMPIRE MEALS ON THE STAGE

SUPPORTED BY PROFESSION

LEADING ACTORS AND ACTRESSES

INTERVIEWED

(Emm a London Correspondent)

Nowhere are more delicious looking meals oaten than on the stage.i Who lias not wished to join in those leisurely breakfasts, those cosy lete-a-lete teas, those stately dinners and those glittering supper parties which punctuate the course of a modern play. In future, hungry playgoers who have cut the last course of their dinners in order to be in their seats by the rise of the curtain, may be even more tantalised than before. In all probability the chicken lurking in the depths of that entree dish, the piles of fruit that grace tho centre piece, and the wines that sparkle in the decanters arc Empire produce ! A talk with some of our leading actors and actresses has revealed the interesting fact that the cause of Empire Marketing lias few more enthusiastic supporters than in "the Profession.” Miss Irene Vanbrugh, for instance, is one of those who always say “Empire please” when they go out shopping. Resting in tier dressing room at the Court theatre, Miss Vanbrugh explained the reason. “Since 1 have toured the Dominions,” she said, “housekeeping lias taken on a new significance for me. Not only have I seen for myself in New Zealand, in Australia, and * in South Africa, just where and how so many of the goods which we buy every day are produced at their best, hut I have come to understand the big part we women, can play in helping forward Empire trade.” She paused reflectively. “1 am sure,” she continued, “that if only we at homo could realise just how much tho prosperity of our people overseas depends upon the extent, to which we give them our custom, Empire buying would increase enormously.'’ Miss Vanbrugh had some interesting stories to toll of all that she had seen hi her off times from the. theatre. In New Zealand she had visited some of the great refrigerating works and in Australia had spent a week on a sheep station. She. had also seen over a fruit cannery and been initiated into the intricacies of grading and packing. Before I left, she confided in me that one of her most cherished domestic secrets had been, learnt in New Zealand. It was how to hang a leg of lamb 1

Next I called on Mr Owen Nitres at the Palladium. When he heard what T had come to talk about, Mr Nitres was frankly interested. As he was helped by his dresser from his immaculate stage get up into his street clothes he recalled with enthusiasm his impressions of South Africa and Rhodesia. “After all” he said, “in making a point of buying foodstuffs that conic from Empire countries we are only doing for our fellow countrymen overseas what they already do for us. 11l South Africa, for instance, the inclination to ask for and to buy British goods is just as marked as (he growing interest in Empire produce over here. Again and again during my tour I was struck by tho strong sense of family feeling for everything British, and by the interest that was taken in the smallest happening in this country. Both in South Africa and in Rhodesia, too, ono found that tho next visit “Home” was planned for and talked about months in advance, and wherever possible made a yearly pilgrimage.”

I asked Mr Naves whether he had brought bark with him from South Africa a special liking for any of tho country’s products. lie confessed that ho had.

“Take tho wines,” lie said. “I consider that the while wines of South Africa arc as good as any in the world. With a careful study of taste, and a little more money spent on research, I do not sen why they should not he made the best.”

“To turn to questions of price and quality,” he continued, “are not these two factors at the root of everything. In matters of housekeeping it is the women who count. Men might be influenced in their purchasing by questions of policy—and even, sentiment. Not so women. They are too practical. 'What women want is the best article at the lowest price, irrespective of a detail of origin. And they arc going to get it every time. That is why the great hope for Empire marketine lies, as 1 see it, in the increasing frequency with which one sees and hears in the shops and stores the Empire product recommended as at once the best in quality and the highest value for the money.”

I found Miss Marie Bohr at the Vaudeville in the midst of final rehearsals of “The Breadwinner.” spoke of the success of her recent production “The Silent Witness.” “A British play” she told me proudly. ‘So you see, Ido not confine my interest in Empire products to my store cupboard only. Though at the moment it is full of Canadian apples sent to me by my friends over there,” she added. ller next remarks were an interesting commentary on my talk with Mr Naves. "I certainly buy Empire products wherever I can,” she said, “and tell my cook to get them, too, but”—and hero her tones became very firm—“they must bo the best and cheapest.” Her dresser brought in a cup of coffee. “Very good to rehearse on,” remarked Miss Bohr, —“and that reminds me, 1 must remember to get some East African coffee. 1 have heard a lot about it and mean to try it for myself.” Mr Henry Ainloy received me in his comfortable sitting room at the top of the llaymarket Theatre with a view down Charles street into St. James’ Square. “1 certainly advocate Empire buying,” he said, “and practise it too as a general principle. That is becauso I believe that the development of. trade between the Home country and the Dominions and Colonies will help to keep the Empire together. On more personal groiinds,” he added, “I am also in favour of'it. Higgcr trade with the Empire means increased prosperity all round. So the theatres, 100, would benefit.”. Miss Marie Tempest was less communicative. She declined )<-■ dispel the doubt as lo whether the 140 oranges of which sho gave so inimitable a display of the art of peeling during the run of “The Marquis,” were Empire produce. “I have come to the time of my life,” she said, “when 1 leave all such questions as Empire marketing to my betters Lo look after for me. All that 1' do is to pray for them oecassionnlly.” Miss Edith Evans, 100, was brief. She feared that she might he considered a little unpatriotic. “When and where the Empire provides tho best goods I go straight for them—but they must lie Ihe best,” she said. I could not agreo with the ground on which Miss Evans refused lo elaborate her view. “I should feci that the public, still rather clung lo the belief that members of my profession lived largely on kippers,” she explained, “but lliose at least would bo Empire produce.”