The VOICE of MICHAEL

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 41, 24 April 1931, Page 8

The VOICE of MICHAEL

By

CRITIC

PHE Editor has -asked me to keep an ‘alert ear open to the Voice of Michael. "Michael" is my friend the microphone. Every night he gives me something of interest. Of music there is a-plenty. And I like music in my own way, but of it the Lord knows I am ‘no critic. I can detect "God Save the King" from "Onward, Christian’ Soldiers" principally. by the fact that’ "God Save" comes at the end of most performances, whilé "Onward, Christian Soldiers" was ' firmly fixed in boyish memory by the rhythmic roarings. of. that tune by massed thousands at the. Torrey-Alexander Mission. The music: of Michael is therefore chiefly of inter-. est as a pleasant background to my’: reading. By long immunity, engendered by concentration even above the clash of the linotype, I can read happily whether the brass bands are blaring or the cymbals tinkling, and only occasionally am I forced to avoid the penetrative sharpness of some super-excellent so-" prano, excellent in her field, I make no doubt, ‘but disturbing to me personally. No, my function in these pages is not the harrowing of musicians. Let others do that... But the speechmakers, the talkers; they are to be my _ subject.’ UWnableto read against the talking voice, I am totnpelled to listen. Listening, I ‘criticise, and carrying that criticism into these columns I hope to interest listeners by. -genially cheering or jibing the "talker, and recording the more important points of discourses. of note. That is to be the spirit of this page. * * * ‘WAS agreeably pleased by the talk ~ on South Africa on Wednesday evening last by Mr. E. J. Howard. In matter he was excellent, displaying a comprehensive. knowledge which _permitted an admirable pen picture of the State, its history, development and possibilities to. be graven on the minds of listeners.. Were I Pecksniffian in attitride, the paucity of final g’s and the occasional complete absence of the initial "h" might be dwelt upon, but these. omissions I. cheerfully forgave because of a definitely attractive radio voice used’ in telling a story plainly holding the deepest interest for the lecturer, And sthat,. I think, is the whole essence of success in the Voice of Michael. The lecturer is forced to rely only upon his voice: he is deprived of stage presence _and dominance and the intimate contact ‘with his audience. His voice alone is his ‘emissary : how important therefore is the quality of that voice. And it is the capacity to convey the personality anc interest of the speaker in what he is discoursing upon that accounts for the’ effect attained. The professorial ot ‘artificial tone is usually fatal. While J. love pure English, the rounded phrase . and the well-toned- voice, I detest artificiality and affectation, and I loathe the quick-voiced,' snappy jargon of many oi our colonial speakers. Radio is ruthles in its revelation of them, and if my experience in the past is any guide t the future, I anticipate the need fo1 some crisp reflections upon some radic speaking voices and manners, In that however, let there be no spleen or guile. I like the voice of Michael, and want his voice to be ever better and better; hence my mission. Meantime, congratulations to Mr. Howard; forgiven are minor verbal crudities for the sake of a live subject vividly handled. There is romance in Africa and a rare future

awaits that dark continent. If he talks again I’ll listen. a x * ON Tuesday night last I tuned in to 1YA and was entertained by a strong cast of players supporting a rather thin play. This is not infrequently the case.. The leading: role of Mrs. Cyrus K. Schnyler was extremely well portrayed by Mrs. Zoe Bartley-Baxter. It was the evident intention of the author that this character should be the modern conception of a fairy godmother. Leaving England at-an early age, Aunt Daphne strikes oil (literally) on. property purchased by her in the United States. She returns many years later in the guise of Mrs. Cyrus Ky Schnyler, a name assumed for business purposes after her sudden enrichment. She stays (strictly incognito) at the home of her favourite nephew, Douglas Montalban, and his wife June. The former is a brilliant, albeit . unsuccessful playwright. June..is an equally brilliant and equally unsuccessful pianiste. . Their lack of financial support does not preclude this happily married couple from retaining the services of the usual trusty servitor in the shape of a nurse-companion, by name Susan, and a little maid-of-all-work, Peggy. On this home of bliss, so nearly on the financial rocks, descends Aunt Daphne as Mrs. Cyrus K. Schnyler, introducing herself as a. friend of their dear’ Aunt. Daphne. Taking only: the trusty Susan and a lawyer (Mr. White-

head) into her confidence, she proceeds to draw- large cheques, and in the course of a very brief interview "persuades" Mr. Goldmeyer to produce one of Douglas’s’ plays on very lucrative terms to the author, Her persuasive methods, coupled with shrewd business tactics, and backed .by..her omnipotent: cheque book, are similarly successful in arranging a comprehensive concert tour for. June. Nor do her benefactions cease at this point; learning that Peggy (the-maid-of-all-worky: is possessed of .a chronic invalid for’ a, father, and several young sisters and. brothers, ; she. provides a handsome annuity for the family, coupled with a cash gift of sufficient size to make an immediate ‘holiday in’ Cornwall possible. For services rendered and about to be. rendered the worthy . lawyer receives a gift-salary of £1250, "quite apart. from and in addition to the usual fees arising out.of the: transaction of my present and future business." Mr. Whitehead is suitably overwhelmed. To make assurance doubly sure, Aunt Daphne deeds £1,000 a year each to Douglas and June, besides buying them a fully furnished, country’ mansion. News of: all their good. fortune is delivered: by: post on the’ following morning. An irgenious "slip" in the secrecy plans of Aunt Daphne fortes her to an early disclosure of her identity and the source of their overwhelming blessings. . A. touching scene of mutual affection and‘ gerieral gewlwill closes a very harmless, if slightly bilious, play. The incidental music

was in keeping with the play themesst sweet and pretty. I was particularly glad to find that the motif underlying much of it was a canary and: not: the effect of my neighbour’s set squealing! Deserving’ of particular reference in the execution of soméwhat"trying ‘parts. (in addition to the work of Mrs. Baxter, previously mentioned) are Mr. Jack Gordon as’ Dougilas,, Miss Muriel Fisher as Peggy, Mr. Walter. Brown : as Signor Guiseppe Lucielle " (the dmpressario who is: persuaded. into. arranging June’s. con cert programme), But signal ° praise. in -a'cast of such all-round: quality: is perhaps unnecessary. ‘I look forward with enthusiasm: toward hearing them again in a‘ stronger. play which ‘will further .ex--tend their obvious talent, , s te 4 * ert \ T the commencement’ of Mr; Hollo: , Way's talk ort tar, and its by-products, broadcast: from LYA,° my sincerest, sym-pathies-were with the "speaker. For, said I -to- myself, how cair he’ ‘Condense. stich.a subject into the short. ‘space ‘of ‘time, at his disposal ?. Particularly as Mr. Holloway courageously introduced us to tar’s step-parent by: chemistry-coal.. But Mr. ‘Holloway is a very capable man. -Not only did he verbally ‘conduct. us through the intricacies of tlie extraction: of coal tar, with-short mention of various other of -coal’s. by-products arid’ uses, but," in addition, devoted quite’ ‘twelve minutes. to ‘an able plea to ‘"Boy’ New Zealand Goods." The: firms who: were singled out for special mention by Mr. Holloway must surely be gratified. But, with all due regard:to the excellent and patriotic sentiments expressed, ‘is this treatment of. a: scheduled" subject: quite fair? It: does, after all, ‘savour"very much ofy" "Wireless Advertising," which. is (and very wisely) Tigorotisly excluded by. the Government in’ its" agreement with the. Radio ' Broadcasting‘ Company, Mr. Holloway possesses’'a’ good delivery; lie . has -the all too rare’ power of making ‘a potentially dull subjeot very interesting indeed. I-could have done with my full ration’ of twenty nijutes ‘on’ "Tar and Its By-products." ‘- . rr . os ON Thursday evening I tuned in to 3YA_ and listened. to: Mr. J..W. Humm talk on: "Berry-bearing -Plants!" Coming on top of a good dinner, such.a soporific all but proved fatal to the keeping of a later appointment. -. At: first I was transported .to’ the. days of my. early childhood, and had: a. mental vision of ‘Jones mindr following ‘Smith majo an earnest but fruitless attempt to zB some meaning to an: --English Primer. Then the unceasing low cadence ‘zradually lulled me to the.very borders of the land of nod. -In all earnestness,’ let me beseech these gentlemen who are giving us of their valuable store of knowledge to try and put some spark of vitality into their’ lectures. Their items are advertised as "talks." Do ‘fet them be talksread them, if that is necessaty, but make such reading firstly . word perfect and’ secondly possessed of, some life. In both these qualities Mr, Humm’s talk was sadly ‘lacking; which, considering the undoubted ‘excellence of his matter, ‘was little short ofa tragedy. * M* fein counterpart. "reporis that," @ talk from 2YA,, Mrs.. T. We Lewis in an able arid interest Zz manner on "Fabrics and "Fashion," and the general trend of things ‘sartorial. The speaker traced. the historical sequence. of the modes, giving. sidelights and-amusing comment ‘on _ pghiuin diversities of Vics Lewis .said,

\designers of new. miodels, are greatly under. the influence of ‘Vandyck’ portraits,..and men. and women: of the time of Charles I. are dominating the styles of. to-day. Changes of late" have been sudden and complete, and this year the revolution has been as great as. that'in the reign .of George III, when willowy figures. proved their attractiveness, straight fringes were worn, and many styles introduced which have proved more or less of an inspiration to fashion experts ever since. A definite fact to be considered is that last year’s coats and dresses must be worn as they are in. spite..of the possibility of looking odd, or .else must: be scrapped. There is no alternative, alteration being simply not possible.. .The long and slim garment is slightly flared below the knees, and everything must. fit well over hips . and at least indicate waistline. It seems . s though I were encouraging extravagance, said Mrs, Lewis, but just now we can -be well and, economically dressed at the same time. . .It. is true we are all. hard up, but the present fashion for. not spending money ,is. to: be deplored, as..to wear the right things is a.duty to our surroundings, our families and ourselves, "I: adore good picture shows, but would rather cut them out for a time and achieve a good winter dress," she said, and proceeded to describe colours and textures of enticing tweeds and friezes, and différent materials applicable. for sports: élothes, coats and skirts, with..a. separate eulogy for facecloths and diagonal weaves, so becoming to "the older,;woman." Many fascinating fabrics were described, the need of suitable "foundation garment" emphasised, and special comment made. on the black and turquoise vogue that is imminent, The.lecturer commended this \ decorative. combination as peculiarly charming on blonde and brunette alike, particularly for evening frocks, blue shoes adding an intriguing touch, Lucky possessors. of turquoise ornaments, no matter how ancient, are'to be envied, Victorian jewellery :being Je dernier cri, and many: effects, in clothes and trinkets, absolutely enchanting. For. her next topic this interesting speaker has chosen wool, in its relation to present fashion indications, which to. New Zealand is a subject of quite absorbing interest.