THE IMMORTAL BARD AT 3YA

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 40, 20 April 1928, Page 7

THE IMMORTAL BARD AT 3YA

LJSTENERS at 3YA may look forward on the I’estival of Saint George to an evening of Shakespearean drama presented by Miss Lucy Cowan and her company of players, wi'h a quintet of fine strumental | | ists, and Madame Gower Burns’s Grand Opera Quartet in solo, duet, trio, and ensemble support. Professor J. Shelley, already familiar to Christchurch play lovers in his admirahble Canterbury College productions, will give an address on the plays of Shakespeare, many of which, in addition to those of Ibsen, Shaw, Synge, Dunsany, and others, he has produced in different universities throughout England. Of the Grand Opera Quartet, Madame Gower Burns (soprano), whose songs from Shakespeare have so often given brilliancy to professional pioductions in prominent cities throughout New Zealand, will record in the vocal role of Juliet from Gounod’s setting to the play "Romeo and Juliet," in "The Waltz Song," also in a duet with Mr. Harold Prescott ° (tenor), as Romeo. Mr. Prescott lias sung he-| fore Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, and lately has been heard in the title role of "Faust"? in prologue and finale to the film production of ‘Faust.’ On this occasion at 8Y¥A_ he will impersonate Othello in vocal argument, with

‘Mrs. Afine Harper (contralto) as Emilia, and Madame Gower Burns as Desdemona, from Verdi’s operatic music set to Boito’s "Othello" — libretto During the spoken cialogue Mrs. Anne Harper will sing the famous "Willow Songz" to the music by Coleridge ‘Taylor, a haunting melody in keeping with Desdemona’s miood. Mr. Bernard Rennell, the grand opera baritone, well known on the air in ‘‘Charities Unlimited," and as a member of the Christchurch Operatic ‘Society, has the sunny tole of ‘‘Mercutio’"’ in Gounod’s "Romeo and Jutiet,"’ and discourses upon Queen Mab and her little vagaries with lovers and other fond dupes of fancy. In the dramatic scenes from Shakespeare’s plays Miss Icy Cowan, in both tragedy and comedy, has with her Mr. J. I’. Cannell as King Henry the. l‘ifth, rallying his soldiers at Harfleur to renewed action in the name of "Tingland and Saint George." Mr. Cannel! is a championship winner in elocution, and has previously taken part in amusing sketches before the microphone. Mr. Ronald Foster (Don Pedro in "Much Ado About Nothing’) is a holder of championship and_ scholarship medals, and requires no ‘ntroduction on the radio. Mr. Dick Wills (Leonato) has achieved successes in recital and play reading. Mr. Charles Clayton Claudio) enters on his first introduction to listeners, as does Miss Ivy Fowler (Hero), a scholarship winner. Mr. Bert Goodland (Benedick) has previously entertained the invisible audience, and in addition to scholarship and other wins, gained the L.T.C.L. diploma in elocution before the age-of 17. Mr. Harold Prescott this titne both speaks and_ sings Balthazar, and Miss Gladys ©’Connell, A.T.C l,. (Beatrice) will be remembered by many. Miss Ida Cooper (Margarct) will again appear, and Mrs. Hugh McLeod (Ursula), already established bv her clear enunciation, completes this coinedy cast.

with Miss Cowan as Queen Katherine in "Flenry the Highth,’’ has been rewarded with success in oratorical dis‘pilay. Miss Maiona Juriss, A.T.C.L., a well-known speaker, leads the comedy with Mr, Dick Wills (Orlando), | im "As You Like If," while Miss Olive Braisher (Celia), (Senior Trin: ity College, elocution) again appears before the microphone. | Mr, Frank I’oster (Cardinal Wolsey), The impudent proposa lof Petruchio in "fhe Taming of the Shrew’ is voiced by Mr. J. If. Cannell, and Miss Lacy Cowan replies as Katherina. Miss Phair Thompson, L.T.C.L., a@ new speaker, taking the part of Des--demona in "Othello," is also a suecessful pupil of Miss Lucy Cowan’s Drautatic School, While a very lappy choice in regard to artists has becn made in regard to the musical as well as the dramatic side, equally fine will be the instru‘mental music, which will be played ‘by a quintet composed of Mr. Harold Be¢k, "Miss Irene Morris, Miss Aileen Warrett (ail well known as the present studio trio), with Mr. J. Laurian Beck (violin} and Mr, Joseph Mercer (viola). The five will make an exceptional conibination. | Miss Lucy Cowan, who is presenting the Shakespearean programme at 38YA in honour of Shakespeare’s -birthday and the day of his death, also the day of St. George and old Hngland, has the honour of being the first teacher of clocution in New Zealand granted registration with the Minister of Education. Her numerous and continued successes with pupils of evety grade, both young and older, in Trinity College examinations aud various competitions, mark 2 high idealistic diligence throughout ler tutorial career, while her personal successes show an unbeaten record ‘in Shakespearean recital. On Anzac Day 3YA will be given over entirely to memorial services. In the afterncon there will be a res lay of the citizens’ memorial sers vice in King Edward Barracks, to be conducted under the auspices’ of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. — In the evening from 7.30 to 9 there will be a broadcast of the service conducted by the Christchurch Ministers’ Association in St. Paul’s Church. The chief speaker will be Rev. J. Robertson, M.A., of the Oxford ‘Terrace Baptist Church ,and late chaplain with the Aus. tralian T’orces. There will be much variety in Thursday’s programme at 8YA. A miscellaneous collection of solos, duets, and quartets will be sung by Mr. A. G. Thompson’s Dulcet Quartet, Miss Winifred Smith, the well-known elocutionist, Mr. Roy August (ukuleie), Mr. Harold Beck, and the Studio Trio are also otf the programme. The songs to be sung by the members of the Duicet Quartet-Miss Nellie Lowe, Miss Mary Shaw, Mr. ‘tT. G. Rogers, and Mr. A. G. Thompson-will compris? a number of favourite songs. Light musical comedy will be the feature of Friday’s concert at 3YA, The piece from which excerpts wiil be taken will be the ‘‘Arcadians,". and the vocalists will be Miss Frances Hamierton’s Metcdious Fonr. There is much delightful music in "The Arcadians.’" Besides the items from the comedy, there will be many other bright pieces broadcast on Friday, On the elocutionary side. Mr. W. H. Moses has three amusing contributions. ‘The Beresford Banjo Band will play minstrel melodies, and other popular ditties. Selections by the Studio ‘Trio will include an old Irish air, (Continued on Page 14.)