GLADYS MONCRIEFF

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 125, 12 June 1937, Page 9

GLADYS MONCRIEFF

"Merry Widow,> and '*Maid oi the Mountains,? That Miss Uladys Moncrieff, who is making her reappearance in Hastings with d- C. Wiliiamson Ltd.'s comie opera company in "The Merry Widow" and "The Maid of the Mountains" at the Municipal Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday, June 23 and 24, is just as popular in New Zealand as she is in Australia was proved by the remarkable reception which greeted her when she made her re-appeai-ance in Auckland recently. She was greeted with cheers irom all parts of the theatre when she first appeared on the stage in the role of Sonia and numerous encores were demanded of all her principal nujnbers, Then, at the close of the performance, almost with one accord, the delighted audience— a record one for Auckland— stood up and ckeered the famous prima donna again and again. -Quite over-. come vvjitii emotion, Miss Moncrieff, in a deiightful iittle speech told those in front how happy they had made her by their generous appiause, and how glad she was to* again have an opportunity of appeariug in the operas m which she iiad achieved some of her best successes. There were more cheers before the curtaiii was tinally lowered on one of the most metnorable occasions ip the tbeatrioal history of Auckland. In selecting "The Merry Widow" and "The Maid of the Mountains" for the local season, the management decided that playgoers would prefer to enjoy Mi.ss Moncrieff" in the two operas m which she has scored her best triumpli. Any how, "The Maid" and "The Widow" are probably fcwo of the best and most popular coniic operhs the stage has ever known,. and no matter how frequently they afe revived they invariably attract very large audiences; The .role of Sonia in "The Merry Widow" gives Miss Moncrieff special opportunities both as a Singer and an outstanding actress. Cecil Kellaway, the principal eomedian of the brganisation, is a general favourite with New Zealand playgoers, Quite recently he took fjhe leadiUg role in a taiking picture entitled "Xt isn't Done," and his excellent performance in it had effe'ctof obtaining for him a tempting. 12 months engagement at Hollywood, which he hqs.accepted, and he will leave for Afnerica'at the terminatioh of the present toiur. A feature of botb pruductions • will be the excellent work, of the operatic chorus and orchestra. Thb box plans will - be opeued at Fail's on Monday, June 21.