Her debut as an actress was a small part in The Last Word at the Lyceum Theatre, London.

In 1908, Lawrence's mother, Alice, was working for extra money in the chorus of the Christmas pantomime at Brixton Theatre when she heard about Conti, now 35, who was teaching dance, elocution and the rudiments of acting.

Charles Hawtrey had asked Italia Conti to train the children to act in Where the Rainbow Ends.

Italia Conti died at Evelyn Cottage, Southbourne, Bournemouth, on 8 February 1946.

[1] Her school survives into the 21st century and has moved into a purpose-built facility in Woking, Surrey.