Lady Tree, whose death is reported, may be better known to the younger generation of play goers for her admirable character studies in films such as "Wedding Rehearsal," "The Private Life of Henry VII" and "The Girl from Maxim's," but she had behind her a long of acting which, perhaps, was not always git the credit it deserved because she was the wife of her distinguished husban@. As Maud Holt, a-girl of twenty who had taken high honours in classics at Queen's College Belfast and. had shown her aptitude for the stage by appéarange in a Greek play, she met and married, e Beerbohm Tree in 1883, She made: her: professional appearance as Jenny Northcott in Gilbert'§ "Sweethearts" at the Gaiety Theatre that year. Tall above the average—an attribut in which her daughter Viola was destined excel her—Lady Tree naturally gravitated to "strong" character parts, bnt her range was truly remarkable; whether in comedy, farce or tragedy she was always the competent and intelligent artist. Perhaps her Anne Page won for her most admiration but it really is impossible to select from over half a century of almost continuous playing any one part with, which specially to associate her. Her husband died in 1917 but such was her ability that she was able to command engagements without any break in continuity until in 1935 the films attracted her. She took a keen interest in the welfare of hr profession and was indefatigable in giving her time to activities on its behalf. Veterans of the South African War will gratefully remember that in three weeks she earned £1,100 by reciting Kipling's ""Absent-minded Beggar" and handed over the whole of it to the fund for the widows and orphans of men killed in. that campaign.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.