image of person or book cover 3684756687927299313.jpg
Source: National Library of Australia
Gladys Moncrieff Gladys Moncrieff i(A60885 works by) (a.k.a. Gladys Lillian Moncrieff; Our Glad)
Born: Established: 13 Apr 1892 Bundaberg, Bundaberg area, Maryborough - Rockhampton area, Queensland, ; Died: Ceased: 8 Feb 1972 Benowa, Surfers Paradise area, Gold Coast, Queensland,
Gender: Female
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BiographyHistory

Affectionately referred to by Australians as "our Glad," and our "Queen of Song," and considered one of the country's greatest singers, Gladys Moncrieff's was the daughter of Melbourne piano tuner Reginald Edward Moncrieff and Amy Lambell (née Wall), a professional singer. Gladys attended school at Maryborough, Bundaberg, and Townsville and made her stage début at the Queen's Theatre, Bundaberg, at age six.

Prior to gaining her big break in Sydney in 1912 with Hugh J. Ward (managing director of J.C. Williamson's), Moncrieff spent some five years performing around North Queensland, and later in Brisbane and Toowoomba, as 'Little Gladys The Australian Wonder Child.' Her varied engagements included feature appearances at moving picture shows, concerts, and vaudeville shows. She returned to variety in the 1940s appearing in Tivoli revues and briefly on television in the 1960s.

During her long career Moncrieff worked for all of the leading theatrical firms operating in Australia, including J. C. Williamson's Ltd, Fullers' Theatres, the Tivoli circuit and Harry. She toured in concerts for the ABC, recorded songs for several labels, appeared on radio and television, and worked for several years in Great Britain. Her only film peformance, Collits Inn, was never completed due to the unexpected death of producer Frank Thring (Efftee Film Productions).

Moncrieff's big theatrical success was as Teresa in The Maid of the Mountains (1921). Her other stage credits included The Merry Widow, The Southern Maid, Rio Rita, The Beloved Vagabond, and Collits' Inn.

[Sources: Peter Burgis. Australian Dictionary of Biography; and Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • In 1909 Moncrieff was the feature live entertainment at the opening of Birch and Carroll's Olympia Pictures (Olympia Skating Rink, Charters Towers). Her season went from 4-16 October.

  • Moncrieff's fame was so significant that some places in Australia (including Queensland and Canberra) have been named after her. In 1989 the Australian government made a stamp with her picture on it. Many parks and libraries are also named after her.

  • Further details: Peter Burgis. 'Moncrieff, Gladys Lillian (1892–1976)', Australian Dictionary of Biography 10 (1986)

Last amended 9 Jan 2017 11:26:52
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