NEW ELIZABETHANS
ANOTHER Coronation programme, The New Elizabethans, adapted from an article by the New Zealand-born historian of royalty, Hector Bolitho, wiil be heard during May from YA and YZ stations. The story is that of three dedi--cated Queens-Elizabeth I, Victoria I, Elizabeth IIl-and of the courage and chivalry their dedication inspired in their peoples. The first Elizabeth is shown as a woman prepared "to lay down before my God, and for my kingdoms, and for my people, my honour and my blood even in the dust." This declaration of defiance was backed to the full a few months later when Sir Francis Drake and. the winds, between them, annihilated the invincible Armada and with it the might of Spain. Almost 250 years later the youthful Victoria committed to her journal: "I shall do my utmost to fulfil my duty towards my country." At the same time, across the Atlantic, the English colony of New York was celebrating Victoria’s 18th birthday. Captain Marryat rose to address the guests: "I could serve a queen with even greatet zeal and fidelity than I could a king. Indeed, it would appear that women are more calculated to wield the sceptre than men: for, if we refer to our history, we shall find that England never was so great and glorious as under the dynasty of our queens.", His statement was made good. Under Victoria England became the mightiest power on earth. Again, more than 350 years after England’s first Elizabeth pledged her life for her country, the young Princess Elizabeth sat before a microphone and
told what was to be her realm: "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service. God help me to make good my vow." Time will show whether her reign will mark another ‘rise from decline to greatness such as the world witnessed in the times of her predecessors. The New Elizabethans was adapted for radio by Oliver A. Gillespie and produced at the Wellington Production Studios of the NZBS. The part of Elizabeth I is played by Peggy Walker, Victoria by Bernadette Canty, Elizabeth
Leywood, and Drake by Bernard Beeby. The narrators are William Austin and Allan Morris. The show will be heard from 1YZ at 7.0 p.m. on Monday, May 4, from 4YZ at 8.0 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, and later from other National stations, A third Coronation programme, entitled A Sheat of Royal Letters, will be broadcast first from 4YA at 2.0 p.m. on Sunday, May 10. Written by Oliver A. Gillespie, the feature consists of selections from the letters of British monarchs over the centuries. In olden times these letters often opened with such sonorous greetings as "My very dread and sovereign lord and_ father," and "Trusty and well-beloved cousin, we greet you well." Henry VIII was, of course, the first monarch to begin simply with "Darling." The first royal letters were written in what Macaulay calls barbarous Latin, Then followed Norman French, Provencal,.Spanish and German ‘before the language of the people finally became the language of the Court. The sheaf of royal letters includes samples of royal prose — wooing and wheedling, coarse and dignified from the time of Eleanor of Provence, wife of ' Henry III, to the 20th Century correspondence of Alexandra, wife’of Edward VII. The programme will be heard from all YA and YZ stations. Bryan O’Brien has written a Coronation story especially for children, which will also be broadcast before Coronation Day from YA and YZ stations. Entitled Our Gracious Queen, the programme tells of the life led by Elizabeth II when she was:.a young princess. It will be broadcast first in the Children’s Hour from 4YZ on Monday, May 4.
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 720, 1 May 1953, Page 7
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623NEW ELIZABETHANS New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 720, 1 May 1953, Page 7
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