GLADYS MONCRIEFF SEASON

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22136, 5 July 1937, Page 7

GLADYS MONCRIEFF SEASON

"THE MERRY WIDOW" TO OPEN NEXT MONDAY

Much interest is being taken in the reappearance in Christchurch, at the Theatre Royal, next Monday night, of Miss Gladys Moncrieff and J. C. Williamson's comic opera company in "The Merry Widow" (to be staged for'foui nights and on Wednesday afternoon, July 14), and "The Maid of the Mountains" (to be presented on Friday, July 16, and four following evening.,, and on Saturday afternoon. July 17). I'he recent revivals of these operas in Sydney and Melbourne were received with great enthusiasm, and they attracted record audiences during seasons which had to be substantially extended. "Notable casts," wrote a Sydney critic "have been the happy fortune of 'The Merry Widow,' yet it would be hard to surpass the vocal lusciousness and lovely qualities of Gladys Moncrieff's Sonia, the romantic appeal of Eric Bush's Prince Danilo. or the drollery of Cecil Kellaway as Baron Popoff at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night. A typical Gladys Moncrieff audience crammed the theatre reciprocal g by every ardent sigh the sentiment expressed by the most popular of ccmic opera artists in her e,urtain speech when she declared that all her ecent singing to radio audiences in Australia and New Zealand gave her nothing like the thrill of coming bcfo-« flesh-and-blood people again." The box plans for "The Merry Wid r w" •'nd "The Maid of the Moun-*->''ns" will be opened at the D.I.T- op Thurrd?y morning at 9 o'c'ock. A queue will be formed from 8 a.m.

COMMUNITY SINGING

The opening oi th° ("immunity suiting to be held fortnightly after church services on Sunday evenings was marked by a lartre attendance at the Civic Theatre last evening. Thos° present responded with enthusiasm to the appeal of favourite hymns, and there was some fine singing under the leadership of Mr Murray Fountain. A combined choir, conducted by Mr V. C. Peters, san» "Jesu, Lover of My Soul" to the famous Welsh tune of "Aberystwyth." "Cast Thy Burden on the Lord." "Man of Sorrows." and the first of Handel Parker's "Deep Harmony" series. Mrs J. J. D. Wilcox sang "Oh. it is Wonderful That He Should Die for Me."

The next Sunday evening communitv singing will hj» h°ld f> + th~ <"ivic Theatre on July 18, at 8.15 o'clock.