OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR. JOHN RALSTON OPERATIC ARTIST PERTH, April 18 The death has occurred of Mr. John Ralston, well-known theatrical artist. Ho began his stage education as a member of the late Mr. Tom Pollard's Juvenile Opera Company, which toured New Zealand for a number of years, s Tho late Mr. John Ralston was a contemporary of Mr. W. S. Percy, the Misses May and Maude Beatty, and other favourites of the Pollard Juvenile Opera Company. After that famous organisation ceased to exist ho continued his operatic career in Australia and frequently revisited New Zealand with companies sent over by the J. C. Williamson firm. Ho was a baritone singer and his early training under Mr. Pollard made of lym a character actor of considerable attainments. Probably his most ambitious rolo was the principal one in "Lilac Time," in which he made a marked impression during tlio Auckland season of that melodious opera. He was also seen bore in numerous parts in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, playing, for instance, tho Grand Inquisitor in "The Gondoliers," Pooh Bah in "The Mikado," Grosvenor in "Patience" and Chad bolt in "Tho Yeomen of the Guard." Mr. Ralston visited tho United States a few years ago, appearing successfully in a number of musical plays. Ho became ill in Sydney prior to the last visit to New Zealand of J. O. "Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, but. joined the company later in the South and on its return visit to Auckland appeared as the Squire in a revival of "Dorothy" and as the Grand Inquisitor in "The Gondoliers." They were his last appearances in Auckland. Mrs. Ralston, who survives her husband, accompanied him on the majority of his tours, playing iu the same operas. At present she is residing in Sydney. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston's elder daughter. Miss Mascot Ralston, is acting for ii lms in America. The younger daughter, Miss Edna, Kalstou, also intends visiting the United States. MR. FRED TERRY NOTED ENGLISH ACTOR (Received April IS, 1(1,15 p.m.) LONDON. April IT The death is announced of Mr. Kred Terry, the youngest, of the famous Terry family of actors anil actresses. Mr. Krai Terry, noted .British actorinauager, was born iu Loudon on November f), LSfi.'j. Ho was the brother of the famous Kllei: Terry and of Kate. Marion, George, Charles and Florence .Perry, and husband of another famed actress, Julia Nielsen. lie made his first appearance on the stage at the Hayinarket Theatre, London, under the Bancrofts, on January fit, 1880, in a revival of "Money." Since then he had played in numerous pieces in England, tho United States and Canada, and achieved great popularity.