"What'll I do? wailed the woman, just like MISS GWEN FARRAR The Woman Who Buried Cats - a poem by Malcolm Lowry 1926
The deep-voiced, cello-playing comedienne Gwen Farrar (1899-1944) was best known as the on- and off-stage partner of Norah Blaney (1894-1984) throughout most of the 1920s and 30s.
I imagine that Malc caught her act during the 20's in a theatre in New Brighton, Birkenhead or Liverpool. This is yet another example of Lowry referring to "low brow" cultural icons in his work which sit alongside his more literary and esoteric references.
The silent Pathe short below of revue stars Gwen Farrar and Norah Blaney fooling around on the golf course seems appropriate given Malc's love of golf. This silent clip is accompanied by their 1922 recording of "Second Hand Rose"
THE STARS "OFF-STAGE" MISS NORAH BLANEY AND MISS GWEN FARRAR THE FAMOUS REVUE ARTISTES.
The most in-depth biography that I can find on Gwen Farrar can be read at John Culme's Footlight Notes
They all fall in love - Gwen Farrar and Norah Blaney:
Moanin' for you - Norah Blaney and Gwen Farrar:
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