FORMER HASTINGS MAN ON THE LONDON STAGE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 31, 30 October 1937, Page 8

FORMER HASTINGS MAN ON THE LONDON STAGE

_ i Another Higger to mahe a tardy Teturn from the war has arrived. in Hastings. He is Mr Harold E. Loach, a hrother of Mr P. E. Loaeh and a former resident of Hastings. He has not heen ,back to New Zealand since he left for the war in 1914. After being "demobbed" he settled in Englahd and Avent on the stage. As "Harold Brownlow" he quicldy made a name as a baritone vocalist, appearing at the prineipal LOndon and provincial halls. Later he retired from theatrical life and intere'sted himself in the licensed vic'tualling trade. Mr Loach played in the London production of "Lilac Time" and .toured the provinces tvith several first-class shows, and has been associated in his professional -worlc with some of the leading music publishers. Later he appreciated the development of radio and its possibilities and in the early stages was a regular contributor over 2LO. "Big stage productions have gone off in England, ' ' he said in an interview yesterday, "but the variety shows have come back, particularly in the music halls. There are, however, no big musical productions." The radio had had an immensp effect upon the theatrical business, both generally and individually, he added. To be'well "billed" in the music halls it was most essential that the act should be a good one for the radio. "A star radio artist can draw good money and big crowds in the music halls," he said. "People are accustomed to listening in to the radio artist and are £ amiliar wth his or her act and naturally, when the opportunity comes for a personal view of the performer in the musio halls, they quickly assemble." Mr Loaeh has a high opinion of amateur theatrical. "The amateurs in England put on some really great shows," he said. "Two or three societies oi: clubs will combine, obtain the services of a good producer from London, and put on some popular staga production. And they do it thoroughly too. It is nothing for them to have packed houses for quite long runs."