THE THEATRE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 1, 1 July 1935, Page 16

THE THEATRE

SHOWS AND PRICES

MISS MONCRIEFF'S VIEWS

Thousands have been thrillod by the voice of Miss Gladys MoncrielT. "Australia's Queen of Song," who arrived by the Wanganella from Sydney today. She is under engagement for eight, weeks to the New Zealand Broadcasting Board. Her accompaniments will be played by *Mr. G. Dech, the Australian .pianist and conductor, who also arrived by the Wanganellu.

Personal appearances are to be made by Miss Moncrieff and Mr. Dech at the board's charity concerts at Wellington on July 11, Christchurch, July 23, Dunedin, July 31, and Auckland, August 8. Speaking to Press representatives on board the Wanganella, Miss Moncrieff said it was about six years since she had been in Wellington, her last visit being with the "Rio Rita" company. Her opinion is that the future of the stage is all right, provided good shows are put on and the prices of admission are not "killing."

There were not so many legitimate theatres m Australia now, she said, •talking picture houses, many of them marvellously striking, extending over a wide field. But for all that, she said she thought the stage would be all right as long as the shows were good and the prices were cheaper.

Speaking of current stage productions in Australia, Miss Moncrieff spoke of the success achieved by Madge Elliot and Cyril Ritchard in "High Jinks." "Roberta," she said, was another good show. In reply to a question she said that undoubtedly there was a tendency towards the revival of successful productions of other years.

Miss Moncrieff also referred to the coming wedding of Madge Elliot and Cyril Ritchard, at which, she said, she had been asked to sing. Much interest was being taken in the wedding. Miss Elliot's wedding gown, estimated to have cost £450, would be an attraction in itself. It was really three dresses in one. The gown had not arrived when Miss Moncrieff left for Wellington. ; ■ ...

Madge Eiliot, and Cyril Ritchard, who have appeared together for some years, were last'in New. Zealand with "Blue Roses" and "Follow Thru."