STARS OF TO-MORROW

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 58, 2 August 1940, Page 42

STARS OF TO-MORROW

Young Artists Make Their Debut UNDAY, July 21, was a gala occasion S at 2ZB when the first presentation of the series of programmes, * The Stars of To-morrow," was broadcast. Youthful performers, the radio artists of to-morrow, proved that they are in the first flight of entertainers. The main studio of 2ZB was most attractively decorated, and presented an animated scene. Guests included "Uncle Scrim" and parents and. friends of the young performers. A large crowd of listeners in the lounge showed the public’s interest in the unusual programme. After the broadcast 2ZB was inundated with ’phone calls from listeners who wished to demonstrate their appreciation of one of the most enjoyable programmes 2ZB has presented. First on the programme was Doreen Dickinson, who possesses a charming voice. Doreen, who is only 13 years old, sang "Over the Rainbow." Then came Mervyn Piaggi, a veritable wizard of the harmonica. The numbers he chose were "Stardust" and "Somebody Stole My Gal." Mervyn’s skill is surprising in a lad of 14, but his hobby is music, so perhaps that explains it. Alan Earl, who has a voice of rare quality, then sang. Though not yet of the Bing Crosby standard, Alan showed that with a little more experience he will be a very fine crooner. His contribution to the programme was "When You Wish Upon a Star." Film Star Impersonations Natalie Wallace then took over the microphone. Natalie has a splendid voice, and a flair for impersonations, and in a highly skilled manner she gave impersonations of some wellknown film stars. Then the baby of the programme was heard. This was Pauline Tozer, who had already been heard over 2ZB. Pauline’s voice is amazing in one so young, and her rendering of the Strauss composition "Voices of Spring" demonstrated her ability. The sixth artist was Roy Smith, who performed brilliantly on the piano-accordion. Only 17 years old, Roy is a very cheery person, and his choice of "* Czardas" by Monti gave full scope for his playing. He followed this with the popular ‘‘ Beer Barrel Polka." Another lad followed, this time the pose sessor of a voice of unmistakable quality. It was tall, fair Jim Mawly, who sang the lovely "Bird Songs at Eventide." Jim’s hobby is the collecting of recordings by famous tenors and baritones, a significant hobby for a singer of such promise. But the all-too-short programme drew near its close and the last performers came before the microphone. They were Betty Capper and Pam Scantlebury, who sang Tosti’s " Venetian Song" as a delightful duet. "Uncle Scrim’s" Congratulations At the conclusion of the programme the Station Director of 2ZB expressed the pleasure it had given 2ZB to arrange the programme and trusted that listeners would tune in in future to further programmes of the same type. "Uncle Scrim," who was an interested visitor in the studio, and who is a firm believer in the youth of New Zealand, congratulated the performers, and hoped for a greater recog nition of local talent in the future.