Mornings at the Moncrieff will pay special tribute to the theatre's namesake with local performers set to celebrate what would have been Gladys Moncrieff's 130th birthday.
Bundaberg-born Gladys Moncrieff is one of Australian theatre’s most famous stars following her 60 year singing career.
Born Gladys Lillian Moncrieff on 13 April 1892, she was a talented child, making her stage debut in Bundaberg and going on to tour the state, being billed as ‘Little Gladys – the Australian Wonder Child'.
Gladys toured New Zealand and was extremely well received. The Australian public were proud of her achievements and Moncrieff became known as ‘Australia’s Queen of Song' and then ‘Our Glad'.
Gladys had a powerful, wide-ranging, rich soprano voice, and excellent diction. She approached her singing like a craft, meticulously and unostentatiously.
As a tribute to her legacy, the community is invited to visit the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre and celebrate Gladys with a morning filled with glorious songs from her magnificent career.
The show, directed by Rebecca Hutchins, features a line-up of local Bundaberg performers including Suellen Cusack-Greensill and Logan Tinney.
Suellen Cusack-Greensill said it was an honour to be asked to perform as part of the upcoming show.
“This show resonates with me as Gladys was a soprano and I am a classically trained soprano, working in the industry for ten years before moving back to the region,” Suellen said.
“It will be a very special production for the women and men who are a part of the Our Glad Society, but it also provides a great opportunity for locals to come and listen to the beautiful music while hearing her story.”
Suellen said the show was more than just a concert, telling the story of Gladys’ life through narration.
“It is not a concert but rather a full narrated story which tells the story of Gladys’ life from birth to the end, and it finishes with the song, Love Will Find a Way,” she said.
“It is a beautiful message, something that was sung all these years ago still has relevance in today’s world.”
Director Rebecca Hutchins said it was an honour to be involved in the show that tells the story of such an influential Bundaberg woman.
“It is an honour to be involved in a show that has such significance to Bundaberg,” Rebecca said.
“The play is about someone who is theatrical and talented and this makes it even more appealing to be involved.
“Patrons will be treated to beautiful singing and able to hear the story of Gladys Moncrieff’s life in a script in hand performance.”
My Life Is Love: A Tribute To Our Glad, was originally written by award-winning playwright Margery Forde to acknowledge Gladys’ 100th birthday.
This special performance of prose and songs has been revised especially for this concert event.
There is a morning tea package available for pre-order when purchasing tickets.
Tickets are available here.
Mornings at the Moncrieff ‘Our Glad' event details:
What: My Life is Love – Our Glad Tribute
Where: Moncrieff Entertainment Centre
When: Wednesday, 13 April
Time: 11 am
Cost: $25
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