Barrier Daily Truth

World premiere

Saturday, 4th February, 2012

A TRIBUTE TO OUR JUNE: Sopranos Alison Rae Jones and Angela Hogan rehearsing at the Civic Centre for tonight’s concert.

A concert tribute in words and song to the great June Bronhill will have its first ever performance tonight at the Civic Centre.

June Bronhill (June Mary Gough) was an Australian icon of opera, operetta and musical theatre, comedy and television.

Promac Productions, the company behind the tribute concert, “Merry June Bronhill”, has essentially written the June Bronhill story from her early days in Broken Hill to her stellar career in Europe, UK and Australia.

It’s a fascinating story of a young girl from Broken Hill travelling overseas after her home town had raised the money to get her there. 

She makes her debut for the Saddlers Wells Opera Company in London in “Marriage of Figaro” and becomes an overnight sensation for her portrayal of Maria in “The Sound of Music” in London’s West End.

But it was Lehar’s “The Merry Widow” that catapulted June to world stardom.

And it didn’t end there. Many years later June took to acting and played Mrs Slocom in the Australian television version of “Are You Being Served?” and clashed swords with Jon English in the Broadway version of “The Pirates of Penzance”.

Performing in tonight’s show are two superb collaratura sopranos, Alison Rae Jones and Angela Hogan.

The narration is provided by Chris McKenna and the musical direction by Len Vorster.

Mr McKenna said they were all thrilled to have the concert’s opening night in Broken Hill.

“June was a wonderful character and a wonderful lady,” he said.

He said the concert will feature 20 songs that pay tribute to June.

“We have just come out of rehearsals in Melbourne and we will go until March 28,” Mr McKenna said.

“We travel to all parts of Australia, except Western Australia.”

There are still good seats available for tonight’s show which begins at 7.30.

The box office will be open an hour before the show for tickets.