Gladys Moncrieff (1892-1976), soprano, grew up in Queensland, where she first toured as 'Little Gladys - The Australian Wonder Child' with a small musical road show. She made her stage debut in HMS Pinafore in Sydney in 1914. Seven years later she cemented her reputation with a two-year run as the Maid of the Mountains, which opened in Melbourne in 1921 and toured extensively. Moncrieff's repertoire comprised The Merry Widow, Floradora, many Gilbert and Sullivan parts, and other roles that have long since been mothballed. After proving herself on the London musical comedy scene from 1926, receiving good notices in shows such as The Blue Mazurka, she returned to Australia in 1928. Henceforth she revelled in great popularity, earning the soubriquet 'Our Glad' in about 1935. After retiring in 1959, she settled in Surfers Paradise.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Here’s a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more!
We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building the amazing portrait collection!
