"Our First Hundred Years"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 12, 15 September 1939, Page 41

"Our First Hundred Years"

Centennial Play From ZB Stations

h | O theme could be greater or more fitting for New Zealand’s first radio feature than the colourful pageant of her first 100 years. Nothing could be more vivid, more exciting, or more stirring to all New Zealand people than the story of the discovery, conquest, and early colonisation of our own country. No story could touch us as this one, because it is our own story. All ZB listeners are therefore looking forward eagerly to the broadcasting, of the first episode of " Our First Hundred Years," compiled and produced by Harison Cook. Mr. Cook, who was a professional actor and producer before he came to New Zealand, has done much production work for New Zealand Repertory, and has also been connected with the Amateur Operatic Societies. The two narrators and the players of "Our First Hundred Years" have been picked from the cream of New Zealand talent. There are several professional players among the cast, and the rest, including Maori artists, are all well-known amateurs in New Zealand radio and artistic circles.

Nor has anything been left to chance in this production. The whole is a faithful presentation of actual fact, and its success is assured by the fact that it has been a labour of love, for which no enthusiasm and research is too great. To make sure that the native scenes are accurate, an expert in Maori history and tradition has checked the script. The feature consists of 15-minute episodes, each complete in itself, but of necessity linked with all that has gone before, and all that is to come. The narration throughout is done by the same two voices, and, interspersed with their story, are scenes which bring text-books and dry-as-dust histories to vibrant, brilliant life. You will see the boy Cook dreaming of the sea; the struggle of Maori and Pakeha in a land of virgin bush; the slow sure progress of civilisation; the making of roads and tunnels; the growth of towns. Such a feature has universal appeal. School children will never forget history presented to them, as it were, in the flesh. Grown-ups will look into the past and remember.