Off Tap

New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 451, 13 February 1948, Page 8

Off Tap

‘THE special commemoration feature of _" the Royal wedding which 2YA broad‘cast on a recent Sunday afternoon ‘seemed to me to illustrate the evils of emotion recollected in tranquility, The whole thing was pitched at rather too high a key; the occasion, instead of being reported factually and directly, as was the case with the actual wedding broadcast, was seen afresh in the sub‘sequent light of a rose-coloured mist, whereas the rose-coloured mist should have been glimpsed on the far side of the events themselves. Sir Lewis Casson, who covered the ceremony in the Abbey, was the worst offender. With spectacles fogged by emotion he saw the bride as "a sweet misty white figure hanging a shade tremulously on the arm of His Majesty the King," though he was able to wipe his glasses in time for a meticulous observation of the bridal gown. ... Nor were commentators unable to escape a_ strangely naive wonder at the dignity of the proceedings. Says Sir Lewis: "The bridal procession moves with simple dignity up the long aisle." The commentator at the West Door (sorry, the Great West Door) says that the young couple "are carrying themselves with a simple dignity

that brings a lump to many a throat and an unashamed tear to many an eye." I was moved to reflect that in the circumstances only undignified behaviour could be said to have news value. Yet this special commemoration programme was by no means lacking in virtue. The music was worth a second hearing. And there was a very felicitous reconstruction of Queen Victoria’s wedding day (Sybil Thorndike played Victoria) which almost did bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye. A probable explanation of my failure to respond to the main part of the programme lies in the fact that the nonpoetic are unable to recollect previous emotional responses in thé tranquility induced by two months or more of abstinence.