IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ARTISTS NOT TO DRINK AT THAT TIME, BECAUSE ALCOHOL WAS SOLD IN ALL THEATRES, AND WHEN THEY HAD FINISHED THEIR ACT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THEM TO GO TO THE THEATRE BAR TO DRINK WITH THE AUDIENCE. SOME MUSIC HALLS MADE MORE PROFITS AT THE BAR THAN AT THE CASH REGISTER, AND SOME STARS RECEIVED BIG SALARIES, NOT ONLY FOR THEIR TALENT, BUT BECAUSE THEY SPENT MOST OF THEIR MONEY AT THE THEATRE BAR. AS A RESULT, MANY AN ARTIST FOUND HIMSELF RUINED BY ALCOHOLISM: AND MY FATHER WAS ONE OF THEM. HE DIED OF ALCOHOLISM AT THE AGE OF THIRTY