Both Sides of the Curtain. By Genevidve Ward and Richard
1Vhiteing. (Cassell and Co. 10s. 43d. net.)—Mr. Whiteing's contri- bution to this book is a small one. It consists of a few chapters recording some of Miss Ward's successes in rather more detail than she could be expected to give them, and an Introduction in the course of which he relates the true story of Miss Ward's mar- riage with the Russian Count de Guerbel—a story as romantic as any of the dramas so popular at the time of her first appearance on the stage. The main portion of the book is a vivacious and enter- taining account by Miss Ward of her experiences, first as opera singer, then as actress. In her long career she has met many famous and interesting people, and gives numberless anecdotes of noted singers and actors, composers and managers, poets and critics. She expresses herself with vigour on most topics, and is not afraidof declaring herself both anti-Wagnerian and anti-Ibsen. After her emphatic criticism of the Norwegian master it would be interesting to have Miss Ward's opinion of the developments of what is called the intellectual and realistic: drama, but on this point she is curiously reticent—or, shall we say, cautious
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