NO BELIEF IN FAIRIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1922, Page 6

NO BELIEF IN FAIRIES.

SOPHISTICATED CHILDREN. EFFECT ON PANTOMIME. Charming and versatile as are the ladies 'who shine in pantomime as “principal boys.” it is not often that one of them possesses the added distinction of having a title, as is the case with Nora Delany, the dashing Robin ■ Hood of “The Babes in the Wood.” I who in private life is Lady Maxwell. ' Nora Delany. a vivacious, dark-haired i Irish girl, lias been known to London theatre-goers for over twelve years, but Lady Maxwell only made her bow to Australians toward the end of last year. She became Lady Maxwell in ' 1917, marrying Captain Sir William Maxwell, K.8.E., a distinguished traveller, publicist, and writer, who re- • ceived his commission in the Gallipoli i campaign, and in years gone by accompanied various Kings, princes, and EmI perors on their jaunts round the world, j He and Lady Maxwell took another on • their own account two years ago—“just to see if I really could ma’.e a break . from the stage life,” said the lady m I an interview in Auckland, “but it was Jno use. I love the stage; it is my | work in life, and although I suppose I | shall have to settle down to domestic life later on, the time hasn’t come yet. •Some day 1 hope to play in real comedy. I love the ‘panto’ work—l have ' been principal boy every Christmas at Home for the past 10 years—and have ■ also appeared in revue and variety ! work, but comedy is my ambition.” I Lady Maxwell does not particularly ' favour the type of pantomime Qiat has ! been evolved for the benefit of the present generation. “Not nearly enough of the real fairy story about it,” she observed, “and it was the fairy part of i it that- we all loved so as children. I think it is a pity the old-style pantomime has so completely become a thing of the past, and the present mixture of vaudeville turns, songs, and spectacular effects taken its place. Possibly there is even less of the original theme of the storv in the Australian panto- : mime than in the English, and I be- ’ lieve I have fouztd out the reason—the children don’t believe in fairies. And ‘ I’ll tell you why. You have no twi- ’ light. In Australia, and I suppose it’s : the same in New Zealand, the little children play out in the sunshine al- . most right up to bedtime. In England, they have to come in about four o’clock, and then there are the hours before they are put to bed, when they are amused ''by fairy stories, and they grow to love them and to look forward to them in a way I don’t relieve Australian children ever do. They are so grown up, so indepenient and sophisticated. the children I have seen over here. They’d laugh in your face if you talked to them of fairies. And I think it is this attitude that is represented in your pantomimes.” Lady Maxwell spoke with enthusiasm ! of her visit to New Zealand, long delayed, but for many years past eagerly anticipated. “All over the world I have heard sung the praises of Nev/ Zealand,” she said, “and in Australia I was assured that you were easily the best fed people in the world Not that that means much to an actress,” she added with something of a sigh—“although I am placing a great deal of faith in your Auckland hills.” With regard to the future, Lady Maxwell said there was but little prospect of another visit to this part of the world for a good many years to i ome. ‘’l am booked up until 1930, she explained, “and even as a result of the present trip, am having to pay a penalty for another contract I didn’t keep.”