For some time, I have been struggling with how to tell you what Miss Mawer’s mime technique was like. I have been looking for ways to describe it in words. I still haven’t found my answer, but I think the following critical review of one of her performances might go
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The Link, July 1934, p.6 Very sadly, I have been able to find out NOTHING about Wallace B. Nicholls, save for his dates (1888-1967) and the fact that he was educated at Westminster School in the heart of London. The person who wrote the foreward for his book, however, has
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Among Irene Mawer’s papers left after her death, there are two photographs of a small, white dog. His name was Nobby and I think he was probably a breed of terrier called a Sealyham. It is interesting to think of Miss Mawer as having been a dog owner. I have
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In previous blog posts, I have discussed Miss Mawer’s love of using imagined fairies and mythical creatures as a way for teaching movement to little children. However, when those same children grew into adults, they, like all young people, rebelled. Out went the fairies, and in came the murderers! One
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In 1931, Irene Mawer wrote an article in the Ginner-Mawer School magazine about a play that she had been to see. The play was called Rahere and was performed in a magnificent Mediaeval church in the Smithfield district of London. Officially the church is called The Priory Church of St
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Flower Fairies “Flower Fairies™ are tiny creatures (the biggest is only 20cm tall) that live in the tree tops, marshes, forest floor, wayside and gardens. Wherever and whenever a seed sprouts, a Flower Fairy baby is born. Each Flower Fairy lives and sleeps in their chosen flower, plant or tree,
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Mime Parade 1937 It is interesting to see that Irene Mawer actually gave a whole paragraph to the subject of the Institute of Mime when she spoke at the celebrations for the 21st birthday of the Ginner-Mawer School, in 1937. She so rarely shone a light on her own work,
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What’s On The Menu? The whole evening celebration of the 21st birthday of the Ginner-Mawer School sounds as if it were a delightful affair, totally suited to the aspirations and inspirations of the two women who were putting their hearts and souls into the endeavour (as described in The Link,
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Origins of Ginner-Mawer Irene Mawer and Ruby Ginner were both trained by Elsie Fogerty, at the Central School for Speech and Dramatic Art in London. Both of the women revered Fogie (as she was nicknamed by all the students) and were forever grateful to her. Central School is where Irene
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Honourable Traditions By the time the Ginner-Mawer School reached 21 years of existence, Stanley Baldwin had been British Prime Minister three times. Irene Mawer quoted Earl Baldwin, who I presume is the same person. I have tried to find where the quotation was used by Baldwin, but have failed, however,
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