Maidie Andrews (1893-1986)

"ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
Produced at The Comedy Theatre, London
Reviewed in Lloyds Weekly News - 27th December, 1903

Many valued friends of the modern nursery are met amid highly attractive surroundings in Alice through the Looking Glass. Tweedledum and Tweedledee, capitally represented by Messrs. Dallas Welford and Lennox Pawle, renew their celebrated contest, and again the living flowers, the toys, and other accessories to Lewis Carroll's fascinating story are seen. Once more the audience find themselves in the Wool and Water Shops, where a particularly effective dance of dolls takes place.

The youthful performers enter with spirit into their work. Mr. John Donald, the manager, is fortunate in having secured for the artless Alice such a winsome little actress as Miss Maidie Andrews, who evokes interest for all she says and does. In the "Golliwogs" dance two "tiny mites" make a hit, and mention is also due of misses Constance Courtenay, Rose Temple, and Haidie Hemsley as the White Queen, the Red Queen, and the Spirit of Fairy Revels respectively. Music has been provided by Mr. Walter Tilbury for a very pleasing production.

"ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
Report from Lloyds Weekly News - 24th January, 1904

PANTOMIME PARTY - "ALICE'S" RECEPTION.

On Thursday afternoon, to celebrate the fiftieth performance at the New theatre of that charming children's play, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Mr. John Donald and Alice entertained the company at a Christmas tree tea party on the stage, and in the earlier portion of the festivity the audience were invited to join. At the end of the play Alice (little Miss Maidie Andrews) was led forward by Mr. Donald, and in the course of a brief address said:-

For fifty times I've been to tea
With Queens of Red and White.
But now I've asked them all to take
A cup with me to-night.

On the curtain ascending, the children in their fancy costumes were seen assembled round the well-laden tables with a huge Christmas tree covered with toys in the centre. Aftar the juveniles had done justice to Alice's liberal feast there was a toy distribution, and sports were engaged in until the hour for commencing the evening performance. The young folks among the audience had also received souvenirs before they left. "Alice's tea party" will long be remembered by all who were present.

Alice Through the Looking Glass has proved such a success that Mr. Donald has arranged with Sir Charles Wyndham for an extension of his season.

"FAUST ON TOAST"
Produced at The Gaiety Theatre, London
Reviewed in The Daily Mail - 13th May, 1921

TOPICAL FUN IN NEW VERSION

The recent structural alterations in "Faust on Toast," which had no need of redecoration, have completely covered an inobtrosive but none the lees unfashionable plot.

To the feast of colour and flood of light that gave the appropriate atmosphere at the Gaiety Theatre was added the ultratopical fun which the former version lacked.

There is a rich fruity flavour of old port about the new Mephistopheles, who, played with great spirit by Mr. Tom Walls, literally went with a bang. Enlarging her native humour to the limits of laughter, Miss Maisie Gay gave the broadest imaginable burlesque of Martha. Her praise of the perfect love and her jewel song as a flaxen-haired Gretchen were screaming fun, while her take off of the art ballet set the house in a roar.

Neat and nimble Mr. Jack Buchanan carries on cheerily as Faust with the fair Marguerite, so charmingly played by Miss Maidie Andrews. In faultless evening dress Miss Heather Thatcher makes Valentino the jolliest of boys. Her classic profile, lit up with a sunny smile, sets off mock-heroics that prove her a clever actress, who should rise to higher things. That bonny song-bird. Miss Nancie Lovat, warbles as sweetly as ever, and there are many other pretty people in this bewilderingly beautiful show.

G. M.