STAGE ACTIVITIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

STAGE ACTIVITIES

Ovation For Gladys Moncrieff Gladys Moncrieff received a tremendous reception when she appeared in vaudeville at the Tivoli Theatre. Melbourne, last week. She sang “I was Dreaming,” “Pipes of Pan,” and “My Hero,” from “The Chocolate Soldier.” A Melbourne paper said: The most enthusiastic ovation the Tivoli has ever known was given Gladys Moncrieff. The Tivoli Circuit might have hunted the world without success to obtain a more popular artist.” Gracie Fields’ Affairs Questioned The financial affairs of Gracie Fields, the English stage and screen star, including the transfer of money to America, were the subject of questions in the British House of Commons. Questions were also asked about her husband, Monty Banks, the film director, who is an Italian. “Waltzing Matilda” in London Since “We’ll Hang Out Our Washing On The Seigfried Line” became a sad anachronism, a crop of new war songs has grown in London. Among them, “Waltzing Matilda” has sprung into favour, especially at camp concerts. London’s largest firm of music publishers, under special rights from Australia, is turning out thousands of copies with the cover a photograph of the 2nd A.I.F. marching through Sydney. “Crazy Show” at Sydney Tivoli The “Crazy Show” at the Tivoli Theatre is notable for the number of comedy artists it presents, and easily first in quality and versatility is Jennie Howard, says a Sydney paper. This little London girl, with Percy King as her partner, scored an outstanding success with her singing, her pert sayings and her general irrepressibility. In more serious vein, as a final encore, her topical song, “When the Lights of London Shine Again,” struck a very responsive chord in the crowded audience. Janette Gilmore (who appeared here in “Rio Rita”) and her partner, “Smoky” Wells, also excelled in clever patter and most eccentric dancing, and Bob Dyer, the hill-billy, repeated the signal success he scored here with the Marcus Show. Edwin Styles, suave London compere, was an admirable foil for the more gusty humour of George Wallace. Lew Fine (U.S.A.) and Morry Barling. The Marvellos, with Cherry Wheatley, are very clever adagio dancers, and Harold and Betty Takier seem fully entitled to their claim to be America’s champion “jitterbug” dancers. The augmented Tivoli Ballet, figuring in several beautifully-pre-sented scenes, is especially good.