Variety singer, dancer, actor.
The wife and on-stage partner of Nat Phillips, Daisy Merritt's name first appears in early 1903 through advertisements placed in the Sydney Morning Herald for her dance school (situated opposite the Criterion Theatre). She apparently specialised in step and fancy dancing. Merritt's connection with Nat Phillips dates back sometime prior to that year, however. It is believed that the couple was engaged in an affair before Phillips and his first partner Tommy Armstrong left Australia in 1901 to tour the USA vaudeville circuits. Quite a few years older than Phillips, Merritt was married and the mother of three small children at the time. When Phillips and Tommy Armstrong ended their ten-year partnership in 1903, Phillips asked Merritt to join him in the USA. In an interview with Theatre magazine, Phillips indicates that they opened the night after he and Armstrong gave their final performance (December 1914, p.39).
Phillips and Merritt spent possibly three to four years working the American variety circuits (c. 1903 to 1905 or 1906) before heading to Britain and Europe. Their reputation by this stage was such that they were able to secure a contract with eminent British variety circuit Moss and Stoll. Phillips claims that the original contract was for thirty-two weeks each year up until 1916. Over the next six or so years, the pair played virtually every syndicate hall in the UK and appeared on regular occasions at the Coliseum Theatre (London). Their act around this time had developed into a comedy sketch turn that utilised Phillips's piano playing and acrobatic capabilities, and their combined expertise in eccentric dancing and vocal work. When not engaged on the Moss and Stoll circuit, Phillips and Merritt toured a number of European circuits, playing such countries as Holland, Germany, and Russia. For these largely non-English-speaking audiences, they simply cut out their sketch work and relied instead on physical comedy and singing.
In 1912, Phillips and Merritt returned to Australia on what was supposed to be a holiday to visit family. While in Sydney, they were offered a two-week season by Ben and John Fuller. The reception they received the night Ben Fuller saw their act convinced him to sign them immediately to a twelve-month contract. The conditions and prospects offered were such that they decided against taking up the four-year option they still had with Moss and Stoll, and remained in Australia on a more or less permanent basis thereafter. The pair toured the Fullers' Australian and New Zealand circuits extensively throughout the next two years. From around late 1914 and up until mid-way through 1916, Merritt partnered Phillips in many sketches he developed around his famous 'Stiffy the Rabbitoh' character. She also toured the subcontinent with him for around seven months during the same period.
Merritt's career was largely overshadowed by her husband's massive success as one half of the iconic and hugely popular Stiffy and Mo comedy duo, even though she was a principal member of the ensemble cast and appeared in most of her husband's pantomimes. Phillips and Merritt remained together until his death in 1932. She died two years later, in part due to health problems brought on by heavy drinking.
