Lily Brayton (1876–1953), British actress and pupil of F. M. Alexander.
Life
Lily Brayton made her first appearance in 1896 and became famous for her performance in the rôle of Viola in Twelfth Night in 1901 and as Yo-San in The Darling of the Gods in 1903 or 1904. In 1898 she married the actor Oscar Asche (1871–1936) with whom she entered the management of His Majesty’s Theatre in 1916. They performed mainly in London but also toured Australia (1909–10) and South Africa (1913–14). She retired from acting in 1932.[1] [2] [3]
In an advertisement flyer F. M. Alexander quotes a letter received from Miss Lily Brayton:[4]
Adelphi Theatre
26th January 1906
Dear Mr Alexander,
I have been wanting for some time to write and thank you for the great benefit I have derived from your method. I think your system simply wonderful. It enables one to do the greatest amount of work without fatigue. Before I took lessons from you, the slightest cold used to affect my voice; now I am able to play a long part even when suffering from a severe cold without it being noticeable in my voice. Please accept my very grateful thanks.
(Signed) Lily Brayton
Fig. 1. A signed picture dedicated to F. M. Alexander is now with STAT. (Reproduced by permission of STAT.)
Lily Brayton *23 June 1876 – †30 April 1953.