Gladys Moncrieff

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 44, 24 February 1944, Page 8

Gladys Moncrieff

MAID OF THE JUNGLE Back on a diet of chops and pineapple is Gladys Moncrieff, a little disappointed that a New Guinea tour which robbed lean Gary Cooper of 12 pounds did nothing for her. Gladys, who tries not to weep on the stage unless the script directs it, could not help herself at her final Moresbyconcert. The boys began - to gather about 4 p.m., and by S o’clock numbered more than it,ooo, the biggest audience of her 30 years’ career. A glamorous reminder of home, in her long white dress with the gold shoulderpieces, she brushed away the insects as she sang the boys’ favourites. They adored her, and yelled their approval when she plucked a large brown grasshopper from the neck of licr frock without interrupting a trill. Said Gladys: “It’s tho first time I’ve gargled moscpiitoes.” When it was over, there were 52 bouquets, handmade, of ppinciana. and frangipanni, some of them flown from Buna and Dobadura. Gladys choked over her thank you speech, and called for Bebc Scott. Bebe choked, too. Affection’s Name Not many Australian artists have been, as popular with Australians as “Our Glad” —an abbreviation Miss Moncrieff docs not altogether care for, but clings to because of the affection that first prompted it. Daughter of a Bundabcrg pianist, she made her first public appearance when she was 12, beforo the sewing class in her school at Townsville, At 16, she went to Sydney, was coached by Mrs. Hugh Ward, understudied leading ladies in Gilbert and Sullivan until, inevitably, cue hardy leading lady caught a cold, and Gladys got her chance. Her big triumph was “Maid of the Mountains,” which she introduced to Australia in tho early twenties. It ran for two years without a break. Gladys has played the Maid in more than 2000 performances. In 1924, she married Tom Moore, a member of the J.C.W. chorus, aud went to London for a honeymoon. In 1926 she went again, this time to play lead at Daly’s West End Theatre in “Tho Blue Mazurka.” The play was not good, but Gladys was. The Times said sho had one of the musical, comedy voices in the world. The King and Queen attended, and Gladys made a peep-hole in the scenery to see them. Then the show folded. Gladys got homesick aud came back to Sydney to open in “Rio Rita.” During the next ten years, new shows gave way to revivals, revivals to radio concerts, until a bad car smash outside Geelong laid Gladys up for two years. In 1939, she announced her formal farewell to tho stage. In .1942, she opened in Melbourne, with great success, in ‘The Maid.” As she walked on one night, after the show came to Sydney, she heard a whisper from tho stalls: “Isn’t she marvellous. She must be 63, you know.” Melba’s “Luv.” Gladys does not believe in publicising her age, and thinks it upsetting for young audiences to know positively how many years the leading lady is ahead of tho leading man. Somewhere in the middle forties, she numbers among her assets a good smile —her own —trim ankles and feet, graceful carriage, and a most equable temperament She remembers when, as a 12-years-old, in Townsville, she and licr mother saw Melba alight from a ca'rriage and go into a draper’s shop. Mrs. Moncrieff followed the prima donna, and begged her to hear young Gladys sing. Replied Melba-. “I have to sing tonight and I mustn’t talk.” At 16, Gladys was singing for Hugh Ward in tho Sydney Theatre Royal—a Melba favourite, the Jewel Song from Faust. When she finished, Melba herself came from the darkened stalls, put the surprised young singer through some scales, and praised her “lovely voice.” They met again when Melba dropped in to hear Gladys rehearsing The Merry Widow, in tho twenties. Melba offered this advice: “Say luv, Gladj'S, not lov. It’s softer.” A formation of aircraft will bo flying over Marton at 2.30 p.m. today coinciding with the parade of the band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and will also be flying over Feilding, Palmerston North and Wanganui, weather permitting. By special arrangement Reuter’s world service, in addition to other special compilation of oversea intelligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved.