(8) "AUNT ANITA," of 4YA

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 26, 22 December 1939, Page 12

(8) "AUNT ANITA," of 4YA

"Aunt Anita" of 4YA — must have been born under a theatrical planet, with a stick of grease-paint in her mouth, and footlights in her hands. She has had an amazingly successful career in the amateur theatrical world of Dunedin, having been both performer and producer. She has also performed in, and been producer of, plays put on in 4YA studios by one of the most successful of the many companies which used regularly to be broadcast on Monday nights. Na WINKEL — widely popular

She has, in addition, earned an enviable reputation as a teacher in singing, elocution and dancing, especiaily among children. And, as " Aunt Anita,’ she has the honour of having one of the longest records among the YA aunts, having been broadcasting to children for 12 years. The Regard is Mutual When 4YA was an insignificant little station housed in a small room in Moray Place, Miss Winkel first began broadcasting to children. "From the outset,’ she said to The Listener, "I liked the work, and, strange as it may seem, I found children liked me." Actually, there is nothing strange about that. Both in person and over the air there is something about her that conquers childish shyness and reserve. Moreover, in all her dealings with children, she allows them just the correct amount of liberty, and permits them to follow their own dictates

so far as is advisable. In short, she understands children, and youngsters are never slow to respond to one possessing that somewhat rare quality. Wher 4YA moved from Moray Place to its present headquarters in Stuart Street, Miss Winkel, in conjunction with Major F. H. Lampen, was responsible for the special programme inaugurating the new studio. Thereafter she broadcast regularly to children, selecting always bright and happy forms of. entertainment. " When I think that I have been broadcasting so long," she said with a laugh, "I feel a real grandmother." And yet Miss Winkel is onlywell, quite a young woman. Plays and Competitions An urge to participate in theatricals was gratified at secondary school when she was given an opportunity of playing Mrs. Malaprop in "The Rivals." Her first part-her first success. Competitions festivals began to attract her, and she became a keen contestant in elocution classes up and down the country. Became, too, a consistent winner. In 1926 she gained her highest honour in competition work-becoming the elocution champion of New Zealand. Retiring from the lists as a competitor, Aunt Anita took to teaching, training children to do the same work in which she had been so successful. Her pupils have never let her down, and year after year, either as individuals or as group performers, they have been among the winners, The Listener asked her if she ever intended to give up this work. "I’m often asked that question," she

replied, "and I have had opportunities of giving up. But I love working with the children, in bringing them out. They keep me young, and the way I feel now I shall still be teaching when I’m 80 and without any teeth." Annually she presents her pupils in a play or revue — an entertainment highlight. When The Listener spoke to her she was in the midst of producing this year’s revue, the proceeds of which she is giving to the local branch of the Red Cross Society. She was responsible for one of the most popular little companies to present plays in Dunedin-the Strolling Players, a group which later linked up

with the Repertory Society. This group, while it lasted, put on some exceptionally good shows. Two of the many plays produced by Aunt Anita remain memories. These were " Children in Uniform," and "Tilly of Bloomsbury." The latter was so successful that it had to be repeated subsequently. Repertory Successes ‘As an actress Miss Winkel is recognised as among the first rankers in Dunedin, Apart from other appearances she does much work with the Repertory Society nowadays, and her appearance as Esther the blind girl in Drinkwater's "A Man’s House," earned her well-deserved laurels. This play was specially presented in Christchurch a couple of months back, and Christchurch wants to see her again. She plays comedy with equal facility; she was brilliant as the French girl in "Our

Miss Gibbs," produced by the Operatic Society. Radio Plays Reverting to radio, Aunt Anita formed the Opportune Players, a highly capable group. "I always liked to get the best players I could," she said, "and I know I had an excellent group for my radio work." All who listened to her plays will agree with her. With the decline of studio plays the Opportune Players did not go out of existence. Regularly they entertain, and not long ago they put on Noel Coward’s "Cavalcade" at a Repertory Society social, An ambitious undertaking, well done. This year the same players entered " Dirge Without Dole," a singularly powerful propaganda play, for the Otago branch festival of the British Drama League. It created a sensation and the Judge, Miss Ngaio Marsh, declared it to be the best thing she had seen amateurs do. The play moved into the New Zealand finals of the Drama League contest, and won with high honours, so that Dunedin for the first time since the inception of the festivals had the honour of emerging the Dominion winner. "TI owe any success the company had," said Aunt Anita, "to Ngaio Marsh. It was the experience I gained under her direction when she produced ‘A Man’s House’ for the Repertory Society that enabled me to produce ‘Dirge Without Dole’ as it should be produced."