"Radio Theatre Shows"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 75, 29 November 1940, Page 15

"Radio Theatre Shows"

Successful Entertainments In Three Centres

HE system of regular Sunday night "radio theatre shows" Which the Commercial Broadcasting Service is sponsoring in conjunction with Theatre Management, Ltd., is working efficiently, and on a recent Sunday three shows were held, in Wellington, Christchurch, and Palmerston North. In all, nearly £500 was collected for various patriotic and charitable funds. In Wellington A capacity audience turned up at the Regent Theatre for Wellington’s second radio theatre show, a preview of the film "Convoy," which was made available by Associated Talking Pictures. Proceeds, approximately, went to the Mercantile Marine. Among those present were the Prime Minister (the Hon. Peter Fraser), and Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom. Tickets were sold well above week-day prices, ten patrons paying a guinea each for their seats. Prior to the showing of the film, the new patriotic song, "The Empire is Marching," was sung by Rex Walden of 2ZB,\and a commentary, "The Men Who Go Down to the Sea in Ships," was given by Peter Whitchurch, who is well known for his "Ships and the Sea" session over the air. As the audience left the theatre a further £31 was collected in a flag at the entrance, in amounts ranging from pennies to pound notes, and a substantial donation was also received from the staff of the Refreshments Branch at the Wellington Railway Station. |

In Christchurch Station 3ZB’s theatre show consisted of a stage presentation by members of 3ZB’s staff and other Christchurch artists who have been heard over the station at some time or another. The show was produced by "Jacko," and the takings amounted to £150, the largest sum collected for any Sunday night concert 3ZB has staged. Highlights of the programme were items by a 12-piece girls’ band, conducted by Elaine Moody, with vocal assistance from the "Three Rhythm Girls." "jill," of 3ZB, sang "Oh, Silent Night" to the accompaniment of a recording by Paul Whiteman’s Band. There were well over 1,500 people in the audience and it was noteworthy that although the last trams run at 10 p.m. on Sunday night in Christchurch, barely 20 people left at that time, the others obviously enjoying themselves so much that they were prepared to walk home. The liveliest group in the audience was a band of Maoris from Burnham Camp, members of the 4th Reinforcement. Further proof of local interest in the concert is the fact that the Railways Department held a train until after the concert to enable them to get back to Burnham. In Palmerston North Station 2ZA’s theatre show, which also took the form of a concert, held in the Regent Theatre, Palmerston North, was handicapped by heavy rain during the early part of the evening. However, the Crippled Children’s Society will benefit by nearly £50. Items were given by Earle Andrews, boy soprano; Miss Ngaire Moffatt, pianist; "The Straight Eight," men’s chorus; the boys’ choir from All Saints’ Church; and Mr. and Mrs. L. A. C. Stevenson. A waltz ballet was presented by girls from the Y.W.C.A, }