Clara Reid(1878-1969)
- Actress
Clara was the youngest of nine daughters born to James Reid and
Elizabeth Forbes Reid. The girls were all "farmed out" by their parents
to an organisation that educated and trained promising children for its
travelling musical theatre group. Clara was a very talented dancer and
theatrical performer who met her husband, John William Pyman, whilst
whilst touring, he was working briefly with a group of professional
divers. He then became her manager/agent and, following the birth of
their two sons, in 1900 and 1901, they even toured Africa, Australia
and Canada, before emigrating to the States. She taught dancing, with
Gwen Verdon as her most famous pupil, and remained fit until her death
at the age of 94.
