Poor Woman’s Night Out

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 252, 14 January 1928, Page 20

Poor Woman’s Night Out

Cinderella, New Style rALLULAH BANKHEAD’S TREAT How a famous London actress played fairy godmother to a poor woman employed at a film studio was told recently by -Mrs. Elizabeth Whittingham, of Teddington, England. The aettess is Tallulah Bankhead, now appearing in “The Garden of Eden” at the Lyric Theatre. As a result of Miss Bankhead’s kindness, Mrs. Whittingham. in one wonderful night, Went Her T theatre; Paid her first visit to the West End; , Drank her first champagne; Smoked her first cigarette. A saloon car. was sent to Mrs. Whitllkgham’s door; evening dress and an

opera cloak were lent to her by the studio staff; she sat with her husband, who was also invited, in the front row of the stalls, and at the conclusion of the play she went Into Miss Bankhead’s dressing room and drank two glasses of champagne. In order to wear her evening dress with fitting distinction, Mrs. Whittingham was shingled, and had her hair waved, a.so at Miss Bankhead's expense. Mrs. Whittingham works In the dressing rooms at the Weir House Film Studio, Teddington, and has been in London six years. Her husband is a painter at a Teddington brewery. and she has two little boys. "It all happened because 1 saw Miss Bankhead crying in the studio. _ and couldn’t keep my own tears back, she said “She had been very kind to me and I thought she was upset about something, but it turned out to be part of the scene. She saw toe crying. and »™*e to me. I suppose . felt a little bit ashamed of myseL, and «aid I Could not help watching her act. She said: “Haven’t you ever been to the theatre?” When I told her I had not. she said I should go, and last night was the result.’