Stage Helps to Cure Nervous Disorder, New York, NY, US, c.1944 (silver gelatin print)

On back of photograph: Stage helps to cure nervous disorder - Back stage at the Windmill Theatre, London, there’s a 16-year-old girl who - though ill and ordered complete rest by tow specialists - is so homesick for the theater that they have had to let her go back - she'd be a nervous wreck otherwise. Little Anita D’Rey began her career at the age of 13 - as an acrobatic dancer. American troops - whom she entertained - loved her dancing, and eventually the American Red Cross asked that she might be excused from school to carry on her brilliant Salome and acrobatic dancing for the forces. At 14 she joined Vivian Van Dam’s acrobatic dancers at the Windmill theatre and became one of the most promising girls in the show. One Sunday, Anita was dancing for the Navy at St Chatham - when producer Vivian Van Dam noticed there was something very wrong with her feet. She couldn't seem to find them with that brilliant ease which had marked her performance hitherto - she was slower and unsure of movements. After the show he asked her what was the matter - Anita said she had terrible headaches and dizziness. The Windmill Theatre specialist saw her and diagnosed high blood pressure - ordered her to bed for 2 weeks. Vivian Van Dam sent her to another specialist who said she must rest for a considerable time until the blood pressure had abated. But the long periods of idleness affected Anita's nerves. After 7 weeks rest she was forced to go to the Windmill and ask Van Dam to give her something to occupy her mind. She pleaded with him to be allowed something connected with the actual stage - so he fixed her up as "general help" back stage. Now Anita spends her time carrying light props - changing spot light colours - and helping the scene shifters. Anita is trying so hard to get well - but she has one worry. Will she be able to take part in the anniversary show which takes place in two weeks? Ordered by 2 specialists to stop dancing for a while, Anita helps out the tedious weeks by doing small jobs back stage. Here she helps the scene shifters, to lay a tap-dancing map. She has just been passed fit by the specialist and will take part in the anniversary show on February 4th. She joined the Windmill Theatre in March 1944. 8.0” x 10.0”