Maude Fane

English actress & singer. b. 24 August 24, 1889 in Liverpool, UK. d on May 22, 1961 in Rogate, UK.

QUEEN OF HEARTS – Miss Maude Fane Interviewed – It is still thumping rather rapidly. At first it stopped for a moment and has been trying to make up for lost time ever since. You see I called upon the Queen of Hearts – also known to us as Miss Maude Fane – and she smiled upon me. That was the cause of the peculiar heart action described. As far as the Queen of Hearts remembers she was born somewhere in the region of Liverpool when she was frightfully young and she hadn’t a penny in her pocket at the time. Now she is a farthing millionaire. She was baptised and still has the threemarks on her arm. She developed the Naughty Little Twinkle in her eye at an early age and trained her delightfully clear voice under the tuition of an indulgent and clever mother. It might be noted that this was the only training she had for the stage so you see it isn’t only Brokers who are “Nascitur non fit.” In 1907 Mr. Edger Warwick, Mr. Mannering, Miss Maud Fane and her sister started from England to conquer the East, and early in 1908 the first mentioned lady became Queen of Hearts at Colombo. Of course she was nervous. It was her very first appearance on the professional stage. Since that time she has become one of the most charming purveyors of light comedyEast of England and West of America. I was venturesome enough to ask what were her principal hobbies. Well, as you may guess, she places her entertaining first [the Joker has an idea the HE comes first] then she likes golf, chocolates and dominos! Spielen zie Blagen. How would this sound?-The Chocolate Domino Concert Party? Both sweet and sporting, I say not to speak of the mysterious lure due to the fact that it is quite meaningless. When she the chocolate domino queen of hearts left Shanghai last year she was still in single blessedness but by the time Hongkong was reached she had promised to be the particular Queen of The Joker’s heart. So the Southern Crown Colony was reached at 8 a.m., at 11 a.m. she was Mrs. Warwick. The afternoon saw the whole party rehearsing and the evening found a full house awaiting an enjoyable entertainment. They got it. The secret wedding had become known and when the bride sang. “Isn’t that like a man” in her own inimitable manner the merriment was unmistakeable. The Joker got his own back by singing his: “Love could I only tell thee.” Like all successful artists and queens, this one works very hard. And her hardest work, of course, is in trying to make us believe she isn’t working at all. She knows we couldn’t bear to see a queen of hearts work. We like her sketches with Mr. Reginald Palmer. Neither of these accomplished artists is selfish. They play up to each other – an excellent model lesson to many professional amateurs. The whole Concert Party have created something of a record. They have now been on the road – or sea – for over five years and they are never afraid to pay return visits. In Shanghai we welcome them because they give a clever, clean performance and each member is an artist. Their humour is wholesome and infectious and they are talented musicians… [Pinang Gazette, 18 December 1913, p.5]

ACTRESS IN DIVORCE SUITE – A divorce case in which the parties are well-known theatrical people was mentioned before Mr. Justice Hood in the Practice Court yesterday, says the Melbourne “Age” of June 19. The petition in the case has been lodged by Edgar Warwick Goodchild, 35, theatrical manager, of The Waldorf, Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, asking for divorce from May Goodchild, 27, known on the stage as Maude Fane, formerly of Spring-street, Melbourne, on the ground that she has been guilty of misconduct with Robert Peel, of Sydney, who is joined as correspondent. The papers were served upon the respondent in October last while she was in Melbourne, and the co-respondent was then located for service at St. George’s, Queensland, about 330 miles from Brisbane. The petitioner is known professionally as Edgar Warwick. Mr. B H. I. Cohen, for petitioner, asked that the hearing of the suit, which had been included in the present month’s list, should go over until next month. The application was granted. [Pinang Gazette, 5 August 1919, p.9]

ACTRESS AND “INFANT” – Maude Fane Divorced – A theatrical divorce suit of interest (already briefly reported) was heard on August 29th by Mr Justice Cussen, in Mel- bourne, the respondent being Maude Fane, a well-known musical comedy actress. The petitioner was Edgar Warwick Goodchild, 30, theatrical manager, who married res- pondent on 8th March, 1913, and she was cited as May Goodchild, 27. Divorce was sought by the husband on the ground of her misconduct with one Robert Peel. Neither of the principals nor the correspondent appeared. Mr Cohen and Mr Magennis represented petitioner. The marriage took place at Hong Kong says the “Melbourne Age.” According to evidence given by the husband on affidavit, he and respondent were at the time of their marriage on tour with a theatrical company. When they finished their tour they resolved to make their home in Australia. In 1915 and 1916 they were in this country. Then they went to New Zealand. Petitioner enlisted there in March, 1917. Since then cohabitation had not been resumed, About June, 1917, petitioner, having been discharged as medically unfit, rejoined respondent in Melbourne, but she told him she did not want to live with him, for she was, she said, tired of him, and had lost all affection for him. She asked him to leave her, and he did so. He next saw her in October, 1917, when he was passing through Sydney, en route for Hongkong. She then asked him to divorce her, reiterating that she was quite tired of him, and had no affection for him, and adding that she had misconducted herself, and that there would be no lack of evidence as to that if he desired it. Petitioner then knew nothing on which he could act. During his absence in the East, he wrote to her on several occasions, only receiving one letter in reply. This stated that she was of the same mind as she was before he went away, adding, “I cannot possibly have anything more to do with you in any way.” He afterwards heard of her misconduct with Peel. Another affidavit was read from Sydney, Owen Mannering, actor, saying that be knew petitioner and respondent well, and was at their marriage. About May, 1918, he had a conversation with respondent in Brisbane, in which she said she was anxious that there should be a divorce, as her affections for petitioner had entirely gone. She asked him, if he were writing to petitioner, to tell him so. He remarked that she would regret, in after life, losing the substance for the shadow. She replied “Possibly; but I have only myself to blame.” Witness was present when the divorce papers were served on her in Melbourne. She said, ” I suppose I deserve it. Perhaps I ought to be sad, but I am glad.” Daniel S. Abraham, petitioner’s solicitor, corroborated this last statement, and said respondent had since written to him asking him to put the divorce through as quickly as possible, as she was leaving Australia, and had no intention of fighting the action. William Moncrief testified to having served the citation in the suit on co-respondent, in the presence of Maude Fane, in an hotel at Brisbane. He asked for co-respondent’s portrait, for identification purposes. Peel said he had not got one Respondent said: “You can have my copy of his portrait,” and gave witness one that she had of co-respondent, which Peel endorsed as his likeness. This was one Saturday night in November, 1918. Peel asked when the divorce suit was likely to be heard. When witness told him that probably it would be heard in February, 1919, co-respondent said, “Oh, I want to get it over before then, as I want to get married. I want to leave this country and to be married before I get home to England. I am entitled to my estate at home when I become of age, 21 years old.” Witness thought correspondent said his 21st birthday was on 22nd December. His Honour: This young man seems to have been an infant when he was served with the divorce papers (Laughter) Witness, continuing, said that on the following Monday, co-respondent told him he knew respondent was married. He asked witness whether there were “any kiddies,” saying further, “I have been told Maudie has some kiddies. Do you know it she has?” Witness replied, “I don’t think that is true. Before I left Melbourne petitioner told me there was no issue of the marriage.” Co-respondent then said, “I am glad to know that, because they have been telling me up the country at St. George’s (Queensland) that she has youngsters, and they advised me not to have her.” (Laughter.) Mr Magennis tendered a letter to his Honour from co-respondent to petitioner’s solicitor, saying he co-respondent, had no intention of defending the action. Alice Bindon, of Newton, Sydney, gave evidence that when she was house maid at Selbourne Flats, Phillip Street, Sydney during last year, respondent and co-respondent lived there as man and wife. Witness used, four or five time a week, to serve them with breakfast in a bedroom that they occupied. She later met them at the Hotel Metropole. They left Sydney on the same day, ostensibly to go to America together. Witness was at the boat, where respondent told her she was going to America. Mary Cooper, former proprietress of the boarding house known as Selbourne Flats said she had seen respondent and co-respondent having dinner in the latter’s room on Sundays. Respondent always called him “Bobby.” A decree nisi was granted with costs against co-respondent. [The Age (Melbourne), August 1919, p.12]

Miss Maude Fane, the well-known actress, has married again. Her new spouse belongs to the Imperial Navy, but has been attached to H.M. A. S. Brisbane on the Australian station for several months. His rank is that of a lieutenant, his native country Surrey, England, and his name Foley Knight. A little over three months ago Miss Fane was introduced to Lieutenant Knight, and an attachment grew up between them, and the lieutenant proposed. Miss Fane accepted, and on September 27 they were united as man and wife. [Straits Times, 30 September 1920, p.6]

MAUD FANE – A Star Interviewed – So this was Maud Fane, the musical comedy star, and one of the greatest figures on the Australian stage today. Very quiet she is very modest, not too talkative; how unlike some stars! When asked if she Australian-born, she replied, “Australian, No? English…The Australians are dear, good people, but l’m English… This will be the last time I shall pay New Zealand a stage visit, but I hope to see it again, because it is such a wonderful country….” The stage seemed to be about the last thing in the world that Miss Fane desired to talk about… At last she was induced to say something about what the public considers to be the most important pare of her life. “Yes,” she said, ”I always liked the stage, because there is so much beauty and real life to be seen upon it. One becomes associated with such fine people, and one’s outlook on things in made so much bigger, so much clearer. Of course, when I was a youngster I often dreamed about achieving success on the stage, but it is not so important to me now… Musical comedy is very bright, very entertaining, and sometimes very foolish; but generally speaking it is good. I like concert party work better, though, because it is a finer test of one’e real artistic merit… I rather like ‘straight’ work and a little burlesque as well.”‘ Of the productions in the company’s present repertoire, Miss Fane says she likes “A Night Out” the best,.. Talking of the various theatrical movements in Australia. Miss Fane said that they must result in presentation of good shows to the public. There was such competition among rival managements and artists that the standard of work would continually improve. There had always been a certain amount of activity in Australia, but there was more now than than there had ever been in the past. Amateurs were very busy, too, and their efforts would probably do good for the theatrical art. The audiences were also demanding good work, so it would be quite safe to prophesy that in future Australia would not be far behind other countries as far as the theatre went. Australia and New Zealand, too were countries that should be able to nourish dramatic writers of their own… [Star (New Zealand), 22 February 1923, p.10]

Toured as a member of the The Court Cards in 1907-1915.

At Hongkong Mr. Edgar Warwick, proprietor of the Court Cards, and their Joker, and Miss Maude Fane, Queen of Hearts, were quietly married on Saturday, 8th inst, and spent their honeymoon on the stage of the Theatre Royal, where they helped to delight a large audience. The interesting event was arranged when the Court Cards passed through Hongkong from Shanghai on their way to Canton. It is the consummation of a courtship extending over six years, during which time Mr. and Mrs. Warwick have been touring in the same company in all parts of the world, and have travelled together over 160,000 miles. The tour of the Court Cards is easily & record. Mr. Phil Carlton, the business manager, and Mr. Sydney Mannering, the popular tenor, were witnesses at the wedding ceremony. [Pinang Gazette, 20 March 1913, p.4]

It is rumoured that Miss Maud Fane, who appeared in the Court Cards, an entertainment company which recently visited Penang has died during the voyage from Penang to Colombo. Mr. Henry Dallas, says a wire in the Malay Mail, is unable to confirm the rumour absolutely. Miss Fane only recently married Mr. Edgar Warwick, another member of the Court Cards, and known as The Joker. [Straits Times, 1 July 1913, p.8]

MISS MAUDE FANE – Writing from Simla on June 20 Mr. Edgar Warwick mentions that his wife Miss Fane had a slight attack of dengue at Rangoon but she has quite recovered. Miss Owen is suffering from enteric fever. This disposes of the report that Miss Fane died between Penang and Colombo. [Straits Echo, 4 July 1913, p.7]

Miss Maude Fane, the versatile soprano and soubrette of the Court Cards is playing the principal girl, Jill, in the new Williamson pantomime, Mother Goose, at Her Majesty’s, Melbourne. [Straits Echo (Mail Edition), 6 January 1916, p.1]

MAUDE FANE – The news was received by cable during the week- that Sir George Tallis, who is at present in London, had re-engaged Miss Fane to appear in the Australian production of the new musical comedy, ”Primrose,” which is the latest Loudon musical success. This will be the popular actress’s third visit to Australia under the firm’s management. Miss Fane confessed to a London newspaper writer some time ago that she could not resist the lure of the stage, and subsequently she appeared in revue. [Saturday Journal (Australia), 29 November 1924, p.7]

DISCOGRAPHY
Austral Duplex (1925) — recorded in Australia