Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Singer and actress who performed in opera, music halls, and early radio broadcasts.
On the island
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:10Is there a theatrical background in your family?
Not exactly. A musical background, because I was brought up to be a singer and I was a singer.
Presenter asks
0:28You made your first professional appearance when you were very young indeed. Where was that?
Oh, no. A hall in I think it was in the Euston Road. There used to be a large piano shop there and there was a hall over it.
Presenter asks
0:42[After that,] what did that lead to?
I sung with David Glegg, the organist and the king's trumpeter, and I sung at the Crystal Palace in this enormous building. I think I was about eight. And I sung 'Let the Bride Said of Him' with the trumpet obligato and the organ.
Presenter asks
4:49How long have you been in personal control of the Theatre Royal Haymarket?
Eight years now.
Presenter asks
4:53Are you the only woman theatre licensee in London?
I think I am now. There was one at another theatre, but I don't think she does it any more.
Presenter asks
5:09What have you put on [at the Haymarket] since you've been in charge?
Well, we had rather special company which I formed, which was the Theatre Royal Haymarket Company. With Sir Ralph Richardson and Flora Robson and very well known players and we did a revival in conjunction with HM Talent of The Rivals and The School for Scandal. And you never can tell… and imports of being honest.
“The audience all yelling for who got on. You've just got to stand there and say it's you or me, and it's going to be me, and you sing.”
“He [Tree] made so much money with this one play at the Haymarket that he built a His Majesty's because he didn't have to pay taxes like we do now.”
“I love [A Voyage Round My Father] because a play of the nicest thing you could possibly have, courage.”
“He's a dear person, very lovable. I think he loves the theatre so much he never wants to leave.”
“You just know he's there. He'll open the door. Or you see a shadow, but I did go into my box, and I thought it was this very odd, and went back, and the shadow didn't go, and all alone in the theatre I was very brave.”