STILL GOING STRONG

New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 430, 19 September 1947, Page 11

STILL GOING STRONG

"Chu Chin Chow" from the ZB’S

N the closing years of the 1914-18 war and in the early years of peace, posters all over London" advertised Chu Chin Chow, "London’s Longest Run," which for something like five years, packed His Majesty’s Theatre. Chu Chin Chow had all the ingredients of popularity. Everyone knew the tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and thousands saw Oscar Asche in the original production. The music was played, sung and whistled everywhere. Yet there is the apoczyphal story of a man who attended every performance, but did not once see the show. He was the doublebass player, and sat in a part of the orchestra where he could not see the stage. All the favourite musical numbers have been retained in a BBC version of Chu Chin Chow, now going the rounds of the ZB stations. In it listeners hear the Cobbler’s Song, Come, Marjanah, Come Awhile, and many others. Marjanah in this production is played by Lorely Dyer, and another favourite with English audiences is Marie Burke, who plays Alcolom. Lorely Dyer (a soprano) is often heard in BBC programmes. For years she studied with an Italian master and to-day her range reaches from opera to pantomime. Chu Chin Chow was the outstanding theatrical event in New Zealand in 1921 when it was presented with all its splendour. The theatres were specially lighted for the occasion, incense burned in brass bowls in the foyers and the attendants were dressed in Eastern costumes. Old

theatre-goers may remember the principal performers--Charles Workman, Arthur Styan, Pearl Ladd, Helen Temple, Maggie Moore, Gerald Soupar, and Lottie Sargeant. The BBC’s version of Chu Chin Chow was heard from 2ZB last Sunday evening. It will be presented as a one-hour programme at 9.0 p.m. from 1ZB on September 28, and from 3ZB on October 12, 4ZB on October 26, and 2ZA on November 9, at the same hour.