Hilda Campbell-Russell

Hilda Campbell-Russell began her acting career as a child at the Italia Conti Stage School in London. She made her debut as an indian brave in Peter Pan (1920) with Gladys Cooper in the title lead. From there she started in rep, where it was a different play in a different venue every week. It was whilst on tour in Liverpool that she was spotted by a film director from the South African Theatre Company ITVA, who had come from London on the recomendation that he should she her perform. At a 9.00am meeting the following day, Hilda signed a contract, resting the papers on the side of a milk chirn, for a three month tour of South Africa to play the second lead in the touring production of White Heather. The year was 1923. It was her father, the famous racehorse trainer Campbell Russell, who insisted that she change her name and add his christian name to her own. Long surnames did prove to be a difficult obstacle to overcome when arranging for star billing. Hilda always insisted that it s