Mrs. Hibbard James, 951 North Battin, once known as the youngest comedy star on the London stage, will play Sophocles' "Antigone" in the Wichita Experimental theater Mar. 30, 31, and Apr. 1, in the auditorium of the Unitarian church, Topeka and Central.
Known on the stage as Peggy Cartwright, Mrs. James was only 17 years old when she hit her stride as a comedy star in England.
Mrs. James, who is the ex-wife of Phil Baker, came to Wichita with her family about a year ago. Mr. James is public relations officer for the Wichita Community Chest. Both are interested in dramatics and have affiliated with the Experimental Theater to keep abreast of the times in the theatrical world.
French Version
The present version of "Antigone" was translated by a Frenchman and was done in New York by Katherine Cornell some time ago.
"At the present time, it is being done in London at the Old Victoria theater by Laurence Olivier," she said.
Mrs. James says the fascinating thing about "Antigone" is that it is so modern.
"It is being done in these modern days as though it was a present day play," she said.
The young Wichita woman met Mr. James when both were appearing in a stock company. She has appeared professionally since she was five years old and played opposite Bobby Howes, a London comedy star, during her stage career there.
Figure Skater
Mrs. James, who is a figure skater of some note, explained that she became a figure skater when her children clamoured for the privelege of skating.
"Someone had to hold the children up while they learned," she laughed.
The four children, Margot, Stuart, Michael and Susan, are the children of Phil Baker and spent the day with their father when he appeared here recently with the Ed Wynn show.
The Wichita Experimental theater produces four plays per year and is in its third season. Plays are directed by Mary Jane Woodard, faculty member of Wichita university.
Although completely Americanized and devoted to the American Way of Life, Mrs. James is still a Canadian citizen and gets "ribbed" by her family because she can't vote. She is proud of the fact that her ancestors founded the town of Kingston, Ontario, although the original branch of the family came to America before the revolution. Sir Richard John Cartwright, prominent in Canadian politics, was her grandfather.