"THE YOUTH SHOW"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 67, 4 October 1940, Page 40

"THE YOUTH SHOW"

Outstanding Australian Production on ZB Network

Sc HE Youth Show," the new Macquarie production, which has attracted such lively interest in radio circles in Australia, is soon to be heard over the ZB network. This original show was first conceived as a novelty and something of an experiment at 2GB, Sydney. The idea was to build a halfhour musical show in which all the cast would be under 21 years of age. The idea originated in the fertile brain of young Robin Ordell-2GB’s youngest announcer. He is only nineteen years of age, and has clready captured the hearts of Australian listeners in his "early morning breakfast session." The response to the search for talent, however, was so overwhelming that the pro-

gramme, which was to have been an experiment, has now developed into a star feature. It is broadcast on national relay over every station of the Macquarie network in Australia, and will be broadcast over every ZB station of the Commercial Broadcasting Service in New Zealand within a week or so. Youthful Yodeller Although they are as yet unknown outside the immediate circle of ther acquaintances, the principals of the cast for "The Youth Show" are said to possess talent of real star quality. Five years ago in a Sydney suburb a frecklefaced youngster set out to

yodel as the milkman did, It became his great ambition-and his family suffered in silence. Gradually he learned, and many odd pennies came his way from neighbours who found entertainment in the youngster’s capabilities. Then he started to sing, and a couple of years ago he embarked on his first attempt to learn a Hill-Billy yodelling song. Six months ago he sang in a children’s community concert and brought down the house. A couple of weeks ago in Sydney he repeated that performance in the first public rehearsal of "* The Youth Show." Wearing a ten-gallon hat, with complete cowboy outfit, even down to a pair of sixshooters, he completely upset the schedule

of the rehearsal when his audience liked him so much that they refused to. be quietened until he had sung an encore. That, in brief, is the story of Graham Wicker, aged 9, one of the stars -the youngest star by far, in fact-of "The Youth Show." An Aspiring Deanna Since the day Deanna Durbin became a_ star countless rivals have arisen all over the world. Most of them had only confidence to back their claim. But producers of "‘ The Youth Show" are convinced that a Sydney girl can compete on equal terms with Deana. She is Peggy MacDonald, 15, of Chatswood.

" Swingiest Swingster " Peggy Kerr, described as Australia’s "Swingiest swingster," will be another "Youth Show" singer. A Sydney girl, her home is at Marrickville. She has behind her, at nineteen years of age, a stage record which might be envied by many older artists. At three she made her first appearance, and she has been on the stage almost ever since. Another performer for " The Youth Show" is Trevor Young, who, at 18 years, has few equals on the vibraphone. He has performed solo with Jim Davidson, Frank Coughlan, and Dud, Cantrell, was fea-

tured in some of Jan Rubini’s national broadcasts, and has toured the whole of Eastefn Australia, from Cairns to Hobart. Comedy Highlights Joy Nicholls, of Leichhardt, aged 15, is described as an outstanding radio discovery. In character sketches, in straight comedy, singing and dramatic presentations Joy Nicholls displays an extraordinary versatility. In " The Youth Show" she is the comedienne. Now that you have heard all about these young people you should be anxious to hear them over the radio, so tune in to either Station 1ZB or 2ZB on Wednesday next at 9 p.m. for "The Youth Show." The session will begin at 3ZB and 4ZB on October 16 and 23 respectively.