Is there too much Music?

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 43, 6 May 1932, Page 15

Is there too much Music?

Plea for more Varied Fare

ERD is a letter on "Must Music Monopolise Radio Programmes?" from "Call Boy" :-"The fear that too much music on the radio is in danger of defeating its ultimate object, that of entertainment, is perhaps not so farfetched as it might seem at first blush. When Oliver Wendell Holmes urged his generation to ‘take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons,’ there was no radio. But perhaps he had not in mind the kind of music that is demanded by and given to owners of wireless gets. ‘The Poet at the Breakfast Table’ said that ‘You will find music is to the soul what a water bath is to the body. It elevates and tends to maintain tone to one’s mind. Seek therefore, every clean opportunity for hearing. Purchase some kind of instrument for the homes and see that its beneficent harmonies are often heard. Let music be as much a part of a day’s routine as eating or reading or working.’ Well, now that radio is universal the amiable little doctor’s ideal is within reach. "But, when all is said and done, musie would substantially benefit, or, rather, our appreciation of it, would be enhanced if there were more often some other fare by way of contrast. Personally, I plump solidly for plays, but a little investigation reveals that radio plays which are worth while are very few and far between. New Zealand has no playwrights of any consequence, indeed, Europe, Britain, and America have so far produced only a handful of radio dramatists. The reason is there is very little money in the business, St. John Ervine put the thing in a nutshell the other day when he pointed out the time-lag between the date on which a dramatist completes a manuscript and the date on which the play is performed is seldom less than two years. He points out the notorious fact that Eden Phillpotts (an author of established standing) spent twelve years in obtaining production for his popular comedy, ‘The Farmer’s Wife.’ Sir Arthur Pinero has published plays which have not been performed. Several works by Bernard Shaw have not yet been produced in America, although they have been available in book form for at least a dozen years. Wveryone who enjoyed the New Zealand actress, Miss Ethel Morrison, in St. John Hrvine’s comedy, ‘The First Mrs. Fraser," last year, does not know that the time-lag between the date it was complete and the date when it was produced at the Haymarket Theatre in London was rather more than two years. Meanwhile, of course, the dramatist must live.

"When it comes to radio plays, which all conform to the ‘Positively one night only’ rule, what possible reward of any consequence can await the author who, after mastering the new technique required, does essay to turn out a decent radio play. The fees are generally low, and always more or less problematical. The demand exists, but the conditions of production are such that sufficiently payable fees cannot under existing circumstances be guaranteed. Nothing short of a kind of Imperial association of broadcasting authorities, organised to pool the efforts of the ablest writers, and contribute on a performing royalty basis direct to the author himself, will satisfactorily meet the position. Meanwhile the daily music bath must continue, for weal or woe, bad plays being worse than no plays at all." TN the main I agree with "Call Boy," and fully concur with His opinion that something is needed as a respite if we are to profit by the musical banquet that radio thrusts upon us. Before accepting the belief that plays offer an avenue for the way out, though I would want a qualification of the term "play." Heaven forbid that we should have all-night plays flung into the household, with its varied interests, although I cannot see there could be any objection to some kinds of playlets, such as, say, Barrie’s "The Ten Pound Look," or single acts of Shakespeare’s plays-the Bard whose dramas do not require any alteration for radio presentation, as they live by the word alone. If I want an all-night play I go to the theatre to hear it, and see the acting as well. If I wish to merely hear a play I go to the Play Readers’ Club, or I might stay at home and quietly read a score. From this "Call Boy" will recognise that like any normal person I would deliberately tackle a play because I feel that way inclined, but I would not expect the whole household, with its 'multitudinous interests, to be so inclined too. HE suggestion that broadcasting authorities should pool efforts to assist writers is an excellent one, and this arrangement might profitably be extended to other activities too-in fact, it might ultimately be forced upon broadcasters, It. is possible that a foreign play might not suit us, although we now eagerly swallow American rubbish with distaste. ‘Where cultured actor’s art is lacking recorded versions would meet most approval, and it is in this direction I believe that the future of broadcasting in this country lies;