In his memoirs entitled / Was an Actor Once (Hutchinson,
12s. ad.) Mr. Robert Courtneidge takes us behind the scenes with such well:known personalities as Sir Henry Irving, Barry Sullivan,- Sir Edward German, Kate Vaughan, Alfred Lester, Miss Evelyn Laye, and many others. He describes how after being born in poor circumstances and joining the stage with an initial salary of eighteenpence a performance, he rose to be producer and manager. The author does not attempt to disguise the fact that there was, and still is, disappointment and failure to be found in this profession, but this delightfully interesting book convinces us that genuine enthusiasm is half the battle to success. In his closing chapters Mr. Courtneidge indulges in a few hints and advice to those contemplating a theatrical career.
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