she planned to become a singer but began her career on the london stage in 1908 at age 15, at the invitation of herbert beerbohm tree. an early broadway appearance was in "the man who married a dumb wife" in january 1915 and as titania in "a midsummer night's dream" in february 1915. she played lady mercia merivale in the london musical hit "kissing time" (1919). she appeared in a production of james elroy flecker's "hassan" at his majesty's theatre in london in 1923. incidental music for the play was by frederick delius, and the ballet in the house-of-the-moving walls was created by fokine. in 1924, she appeared in ivor novello's play "the rat" at the prince of wales's theatre in london. the following year, she was in richard brinsley sheridan's play, "the rivals" at the lyric theatre, hammersmith, together with her ex-husband claude rains, his ex-wife marie hemingway, and his then-current wife, beatrix thomson.