Gladys Moncrieff collection of scrapbooks, photographs and other materials

MLMSS 12190/Boxes 1-2X

fonds

approximately 1920 to 2007

Textual Records, Clippings, Notated Music

9681964

0.7 metres of textual material (2 outsize boxes), includes photographs

Gladys Lillian Moncrieff was born on 13 April 1892 in Bundaberg, Queensland and had her stage debut at the age of six in the Queen's Theatre. After performing during her school years and at the annual Charters Towers eisteddfod, she and her family toured remote North Queensland and provided entertainment through music, moving pictures and photographs. A testimonial concert in April 1909 raised funds for her to pursue a singing career in Brisbane where she worked in picture theatres and in vaudeville. In late 1911, she auditioned in Sydney in the presence of Dame Nellie Melba for the J.C. Williamson Theatres and was given a three-year contract and voice lessons with Madame Grace Miller. She sang in various Gilbert and Sullivan productions with the touring company in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand. In 1915-16, she travelled to South Africa for a seven-month sponsored engagement, and on 2 January 1921, she debuted as Teresa in The Maid of the Mountains at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. She would go on to perform in the show 2800 times.

On 20 May 1924, she married Thomas Henry Moore (1898–1985) at St. James' Church, Sydney. By the mid-1920s, she was one of the highest-paid performers in Australian theatre history. In 1926, she travelled to London to continue her vocal training with Anne Williams and attempted an English career both on stage and making gramophone recordings. She returned to Sydney in 1928 to perform in a new musical, Rio Rita, and continued to perform on stage and in radio throughout the 1930s and through World War 2, entertaining the armed forces in Sydney and Papua New Guinea. 1948-9 marked her final season with Williamson's, followed by a tour to Korea in August 1951 to entertain troops. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in June 1952 and held her farewell stage tour, "Many Happy Returns", in Australia and New Zealand in 1958-59. She was nicknamed 'Our Glad' by Arthur Stigant in 1936 and would carry the endearment known to the Australian public for the rest of her life. She retired to Queensland in January 1968 and she died on 8 February 1976 in Benowa.

References:
Australian Dictionary of Biography. "Gladys Lillian Moncrieff (1892-1976)". Accessed 18 July 2024. https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/moncrieff-gladys-lillian-7621

BOX 1X
1 scrapbook of news clippings and photographic prints, many of them autographed and inscribed, covering the performing career, travels, awards and accolades of Gladys Moncrieff, dated approximately 1920 to 1960

BOX 2X
2 scrapbooks of news clippings and photographic prints, many of them autographed and inscribed, covering the performing career, travels, awards and accolades of Gladys Moncrieff, dated approximately 1920 to 1960

8 photographic prints of Gladys Moncrieff including her dressed up and posed with a friend; with Dr. Bob Higham; inscribed "To dear Inez"; at an outdoor event with a young man and woman in period costume; facade of The Moncrieff Theatre (now the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre) in Bundaberg, Queensland

3 theatre programmes of shows involving Gladys Moncrieff: "Many Happy Returns" 1959 with introduction to the farewell season for Gladys Moncrieff, inscribed on cover by Jenny Howard and autographed inside by various cast members; "Many Happy Returns" Sydney 1959 with introduction to the farewell season for Gladys Moncrieff, inscribed to Joan/John and autographed; "The Maid of the Mountains" farewell production at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, 1933, inscribed on cover "Criterion Escape, 27/5/33". Photocopy of programme page for "Collits' Inn" at the New Tivoli Theatre, 1934

1 souvenir programme menu "A Tribute to Gladys Moncrieff" for Davvyds Restaurant

3 printed sheet music books for "Don't Ask Me Why" 1930; "Au Revoir (J'attendrai)" 1937; "If I Should Fall in Love Again" 1940, each with a cover featuring a photograph of the singer, Gladys Moncrieff

4 photocopies of articles on Gladys Moncrieff; one from The A.B.C. Weekly, 28 January 1959 and three duplicates from the TV Times, 7 July 1962

1 theatre programme for "Elisabeth Welch, She Shall Have Music ; The Music, Career and Memories of Elisabeth Welch" which opened on 4 February 1988 at the Footbridge Theatre, Sydney

1 laminated commemorative card with a printed copy of an autographed original photograph of Gladys Moncrieff on recto and a typed inscription on verso, "2006, a remembrance of the day marking the Restoration carried out on the final resting place of Gladys Moncrieff" acknowledged by Francine Redstone

1 painted portrait of Gladys Moncrieff in mount "Our Glad", signed "Jon Field '07" with sticker on verso "Jon Field, Artist, Exhibiting member of the Royal Art Society of N.S.W."

Arranged in approximate chronological order

Access via appointment - Applies to Box 1X due to fragility of binding and loose pages

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder

Compiled from the collection

AusStage. "Gladys Moncrieff". Accessed 18 July 2024. https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/229031