TRAGIC ROMANCE OF GREAT ACTRESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 756, 31 August 1929, Page 30

TRAGIC ROMANCE OF GREAT ACTRESS

DISTRIBUTED WEALTH BEFORE GOING INTO SECLUSION Mile. Eve Lavalliere, one of the most striking and tragic figures of the French stage, has died, at the age of 61, at Vittel, France. Mile. Lavalliere, who enjoyed great popularity in France before the war. and had played before King Edward VII., went to England in 1915, and appeared at several London theatres. Princes, counts, statesmen, and millionaires are said to have proposed marriage to her. A famous French air squadron honoured her by naming itself the Lavalliere Corps. In 1919 she sold up all her jewels and property, distributed the greater portion to the poor, and retired to live a life of seclusion and tranquillity in the shadow of a convent at Thuillieres. It is generally believed that the cause of her retirement was grief at the tragic fate of her fiance, the AngloFrench comedian, Harry Fragson. I* ragson was murdered by his own father when he returned home one night, from a performance at a Paris theatre.

When the Little Theatre Society presents “Mrs. Moonlight,” by Benn Levy, at the concert chamber on September 11, 12, 13 and 14, several new players •will be introduced to the public. Bernard Brittain is cast for the part of Tom Moonlight. The character calls for a great deal of experience. In the first act he is a comparatively young man; in Act 2 he is advanced middle-aged; and in Act 3 a very old man. Mr. Brittain, has done a considerable amount of playing in England, particularly in Sheffield, where many notable productions were presented under his able directorship.