For Shakespeare and St. George

New Zealand Listener, Volume 26, Issue 667, 18 April 1952, Page 17

For Shakespeare and St. George

\V HAT can be said about Shakespeare that has not already been said before? If all the critics, audiences, actors and readers who have commented on Shakespeare and his’ work during ‘the three hundred’ and eighty-eight years since he was born, have already said the nost important things, then there is quite clearly a problem presented to those attempting to arrange a suitable commemorative radio programme. But there is one form of tribute that is evergreen and invariably appropriate and this 1YC and 2YC have chosen to honour’ this year’s anniversary on Wednesday, April 23, On that day, at 7.30 and 8.30 p.m. respectively, they will broadcast’ Scenes From Shakespeare. The 1YC featute consists of four scenes from The Tempest and the 2YC programme | three. scenes from The Merry Wives of Windsor. These Scenes From Shakespeare were presented by the Stratford-upon-Avon Festival Company. The Tempest scenes are Act 1, Scene 2; Att 3, Scenes 1 and 2; Act 5, Scene 1; andthe -cast includes Robert. Harris, Hugh ae Joy. Parker, Julian Somers and "Davi O'Brien. ‘The selections from The. : Wives of Windsor are Act 2, "Scenes 1 and 2; and Act 3, Scene 5; and the cast here includes Robert Atkins, Viola Lyel, Claire Luce and Anthony Eustral.

Following the broadcast of this feature on the anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, 1YC and 2YC will exchange the programmes for broadcast in the following week. On Wednesday, April 23. 2YC will

also present (at 8.1 p.m.). Words by Shakespeare, featuring the English Singers in a studio recital of Shakespearian songs, to .music by Arne, Shield, Mendelssohn, Martin Shaw and Forster. In these Part Songs for Women’s Voices the conductor will be Malcolm Rickard. . Besides being Shakespeare’s birthday, April 23 is, of course, St. George’s Day. Many stations of the NZBS will recognise the occasion with appropriate music and in some cases spoken programmes. Highlights from the main centres include On England, an NZ8S programme of readings on English themes selected from 500 years of the spoken and written word, from 2YC at 7.43 p.m.; a commemorative programme from 1YA at 4.15 p.m.; and Shakespeare and St. George (the English tradition in verse and song) from 4YA at 3.0 p.m. There will be special afternoon programmes from 3YZ and 1XH, and evening programmes from 1YZ, 4YZ, 2XG, 2XN, 2ZB, 3ZB and 2ZA.