Tropics and Snow

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 8

Tropics and Snow

Christmas With Stage Folk

Confessions of Players in Auckland

A NOMADIC life takes the actor and the actress to every; corner of the globe. One vear thev mav spend their Christmas Day in the tropics; the next “in a country were the thermometer has climbed below zero.

those who are at present in Auckland, some have spent Christmas Day swimming in Sydner* Harbour, others listening to the strange noises of Cairo and others sleighing in Canada. On Christmas Eve, behind the scenes, parties are arranged and presents distributed; there is more than usual of the dashing from dressing room to dressing room, and after every curtain there are hurried whispers and consultations. Miss Harriet Bennet, in her dressing room at His Majesty’s last evening, confessed that she was “a baby about Christmas trees,” and that she had spent the afternoon arranging one at her flat. This is her third Christmas on this side of the world; the other two were celebrated in Australia. “Everywhere I go I have a Christmas tree,” she said. “I had one in London four years ago; I had one in New York when I was there; we always have them

at home in California: and now I shall j have one in New Zealand.” EGYPT’S LURE Mr. Reginald Dandy will always re- , member Christmas Day three years ago. He was playing in revue in Cairo with Lee White, who entertained the company at lunch at Shepherd’s Hotel. After dinner that night the whole party went out into the desert to see the pyramids and the .sphinx by moonlight. “It was then I realised the magic and mystery of the East,” said Mr. Dandy. “That was my strangest Christmas Day. Last year I spent the day yachting and swimming in Sydney Harbour.” “My Christmas Days have all been so pleasant that I cannot remember anything unpleasant ever happening,” said Miss Yvonne Banvard. “Christmas Day is alsc my birthday.” Miss Banvard confessed to a liking for snow during the festive season. Before coming to Australia, where she spent her last Christmas Day, she was in Canada, where sleigh rides over the frozen snow, bonfires, and popcorn parties are the favourite pastimes. And then Miss Banvard disclosed a little secret. Next year she will spend Christmas in her own home—her very own—for she is to be married at The end of the tour of “Rose Marie.'* HER UNLUCKY DAY “I hate Christmas—it is an unlucky time for me,” declared Miss Stephanie Deste. “Three of my recent Christmases I have spent in hospital. Something always seems to happen to me on that day.” Miss Deste has spent Christmas Day in all parts of the world—Sydney, America, Canada, France, England, and Belgium. She remembers the tragic year she had to flee from her native Belgium and take refuge in England, where she learned to celebrate in the real English fashion. “Our day in Belgium is December 6, the feast of St. Nicholas,” said Miss Deste. “We leave carrots for his donkey, and sit up until midnight. The children all sit round in circles, and sing songs to the saint, and leave their shoes out for presents when they go to bed. The saddest day I remember was when my father told me that there was no such person as St. Nicholas. I remember how I cried, and threw a beautiful pram out of the window.”

ing whether I would spend a happier Christmas next year,” he said. “Now that I am in Auckland I know that I shall.” His most disastrous Christmas happened when he lived in Hawke’s Bay. He and a companion put themselves over a 150 ft xmk in a motorcar. When they regained consciousness Christmas Hay was over.

and all their plans had gone with :t. Mr. Lou Vernon holds the record for spending Christmas Days in New Zealand. Although he is an Australian, he has spent December 25 in the Dominion practically for the last 1«> years. Mr. Frederic Bentley, “Until I came out to Australia I had never spent a Christmas Day away from my home in London. After the show last year in Sydney we went for a swim, and next day we had a party at my flat at Vaucluse, in Watson’s Bay.” WITH “AUNTIE CLARKE” Behind the scenes at their theatre the Australian Sunbeams were torn between the desire to please their audience and to discuss their Christmas presents. “Oh, yes, we all believe in Father Christmas,” they declared, as they fastened one eye on the stage and the other on “Auntie Clark,” who mothers them all. Last year little Jackie Clarke travelled from Melbourne to Adelaide on Christmas Day, but he does not forget his real sword and his fire engine and his ukulele. A demure little lady of seven, who emerged from a mist of pink tulle, said-that her name was Doreen Lowder, and that last year she was one of the fairies in “Jack and the Beanstalk” in Sydney. “I got a French doll and a great big stocking, just like that, and a baby Betty doll and a lot of sweets,” she lisped. Betty Locke, also excited at thoughts of Father Christmas, twisted pink tulle round her fingers, and told of her doll’s bassinette, a doll’s shop, and a chocolate smoking outfit. Last year she played in “Cinderella” in Sydney. There was romance for Mrs. E. R. Greenfield last Christmas Eve. At that time she was Miss Isobel Langlands, a vaudeville artist, and on the evening of December 24 she signed the contract in Melbourne which brought her to New Zealand, and a few months later to the altar.

On that same evening the New Regent Theatre was opened in Auckland. There was no celebration for Mr. Beaumont Smith and his team of helpers. Only a few minutes before the theatre opened they were sweeping up debris, carrying palms, and nelping to lay the carpets.

Mr. Noel Allan, who is a New Zealander, spent a miserable Christmas Day last year, and admits it. “I spent it alone in my flat in Sydney, wonder-