July 17, 1944

Dear Margaret,

That was quite a wonderful musical experience last evening. The theater was filled with a variety of military personnel -- Australian, American, and Dutch -- Army, Navy and Air Corps -- male and female. The atmosphere was informal. The majority of Navy men were in shorts and open blouses. Everyone smoked. The front of the balcony was reserved for officers which was a blessing, for there was a terrific jam and hundreds were turned away. Marjorie Lawrence sat for the entire performance on a divan which in turn was on a raised dais. She was very erect and physically a typical Wagnerian -- large body and very proud. She had good stage presence. She wore a long, voluminous red dress with lavender overtones. There were glittering stones over the front and shoulders. She wore diamond earrings, multiple bracelets and pendant. The latter was as big as your fist. The first part of her program was a demonstration of her versatility in languages -- Spanish, French and German - including some Wagner. The music was competently done and adequately applauded. The second part of the program was really down to earth and took the house by storm -- "The Lord's Prayer," "Invictus," "Waltzing Mathilda," and several tender Scottish folk songs. One in particular called "My Home Folk" told how plain they are and "how I long to return, etc." It was terrific. The house was so silent, it felt empty, and her command of the audience was absolute. She ended with a stirring "Rule Britannia." When she came to the part "Britons never never will be slaves" she looked like Britannia herself. The evening ended with pleasant speeches and a rousing triple "hip, hip, hooray" in typical Australian style.

Much love,

Herb