“ONLY A JESTER”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21188, 10 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

“ONLY A JESTER”

SIR THOMAS BEECHAM HEDDLE NASH IN SYDNEY -j&Z “He is only a jester. He has a rapier-like sense of humour, and some of his witty sayings are famous. But . . . he is a law unto himself!”

Thus Heddle Nash, English lyric tenor, summed up Sir Thomas Beecham, who advised the Sydney Symphony Orchestra the previous day to “sit on a tack,” says Sydney Sun. Mr Nash, who is under contract to the Australian Broadcasting Commission, will take part in concerts conducted by Sir Thomas. “Ah,” he said. “Sir Thomas! He HAS a fine sense of humour. It’s bad, though, when you get on the wrong end of his wit.” Mr Nash has heard Sir Thomas

“tear into” Lotte Lehmann and other famous singers, so he should know. “His humour is becoming mellow now,” said Mr Nash (and here ha grimaced and stroked his chin reflectively, as does the famous conductor). “Who Is Billy?” Mr Nash’s first broadcast takes place Wednesday night, but he will be heard before then. “I have been asked to sing on Sunday night by a man named Billy Hughes,” he said. “Who is he? Is he someone famous here?” Mr Nash was told, and then was asked what Mr Hughes had requested him to sing. “Sound the Alarm!” Mr Nash replied. Mr Nash was accompanied to Australia by Oscar Natzke, the New Zealand basso.