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
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