FLORRIE FORDE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 51, 14 June 1940, Page 37

FLORRIE FORDE

Death of Famous Comedienne N the ranks of music hall artists one name has for years been conspicuous because of the fact that its owner early came by two titles-" Prince of Principal Boys" and " Queen of the Chorus Song." This singer was Florrie Forde, who died in Scotland recently at the age of 63. She was also known as the "Australian Marie Lloyd," surely the greatest distinction of all. Florrie Forde developed such an uncanny skill with choruses that on one memorable evening an audience insisted on her singing one special favourite thirty-three times. All the choruses she sang had the power to evoke bygone scenes, old familiar faces and lost friendships. Born in Melbourne in 1876, Florrie Forde gained her first footing on the vaudeville ladder at the Polytechnic Music Hall, Sydney, when George Smith was so much\impressed that he offered the future star an engagement at the magnificent salary of £2 a week. The first week of her engagement she did what not many variety singers do: she started a banking account. She soon made her presence felt and in a very short time was engaged by George Rignold as principal boy in His Majesty’s Theatre pantomime, "The House that Jack Built." From that she went to Harry Rickards and worked in musical-comedy and drama. It is hard to imagine Florrie in the role of a sorelytried heroine, but she played some astonishing parts at the outset of her career. When she went to London, she scored an outstanding success; and although her ‘triumphs at places like Blackpool and Douglas in the Isle of Man. are now historic, she had: as big a following. in London as in the Provinces. Notéd for her catchy chorus songs, Florrie Forde made palpable hits with " Down at the Old Bull and Bush," " Oh! Oh! Antonio," " Waltz Me Round Again Willie," " Flanagan,’ "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?" and "Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy." She was the darling of the Tommies during the last war; she put the song "Tipperary" on the map; and by a pathetic coincidence, just before her death gave’ a concert for’ wounded soldiers in Aberdeen. No one who heard her sing "She’s a Lassie from Lancashire,’ or" Hello! Hello! Who’s Your Lady Friend?" could ever forget that infectious gaiety and roguishness that endeared her to millions. Her. whole philosophy was enshrined in her success "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag"; and the world is the poorer by the passing of a cheery comedienne with a big heart.