IN THE BLOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 788, 8 October 1929, Page 1

IN THE BLOOD

Sir Ben Fuller’s Daughter Dances in Chorus HIDING HER IDENTITY A slim little lady clutched a woolly dog with heady eyes under her arm on the deck of the Maunganui this morning. “You can't leave me behind —Bouncer” was the legend on a card round its neck. Hanging to Bouncer’s tail was a bunch of Australian flowers. Bouncer and the flowers belong to Joan Graliame. They were souvenirs of a farewell from Sydney. Down in Miss Grahame's cabin were lots more souvenirs. And the reason for the flowbrs and Bouncer and other gifts is that Miss Grahame is a most important person in the theatrical world. Not professionally yet. She dances in the chorus of the Jim Gerald revue company. Miss Grahame is really Miss Joan Fuller, daughter of Sir Benjamin Fuller and she wanted to make her name on the stage without anyone knowing who she was. Deep down in her 18 year-old heart Miss Fuller had always wanted to go on the stage but “Dad wasn’t too keen.” So to quell her longing she danced at home —she couldn't help dancing. One day Mr. Gerald saw her quite by accident and suggested that she join his company. Sir Benjamin agreed that his daughter might give a stage career a week’s trial. That week lengthened to 14 weeks and still she is dancing. “It is the only thing I want to do—l wouldn’t have any other job” Miss Grahame-Fuller said this morning. “You know I’m crazy about dancing. I can’t remember what my first night was like. It’s all a blur. I was terribly nervous and I didn’t dare to look at the audience. Now I don’t mind a hit —even when I sing.” So for the next year or so Miss Grahame-Fuller will tour New Zealand. She wants to because she is a New Zealander.

“And Dad’s coming over at Christmastime,” Is her consoling thought if she feels homesick.