Vaudeville Programme

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 5, 11 August 1933, Page 2

Vaudeville Programme

Entrants from All Parts of Dominion Plan Programmes

"AS was the case in the first of the "Radio Record’s" model programme competitions, a high standard, was set by competitors who submitted vaudeville programmes for the second section of the competitions,

Entries . again came from all parts of- the Dominion, and the judges had no light task in. selecting the last half dozen entries for final adjudication. In submitting their list of "placings," the judges stated that the standard ._ generally was very high, but many competitors apparently failed to discriminate between a vaudeville . programme and a miscellaneous concert programme. The winner, Mr. F. G, E. Broad, of Port Albert Central, North Auckland, Who, incidentally, was runner-up in the first competition of the series, had a clear appreciation of what was required. In a covering letter attached to the six programmes which he submitted he stated: "These programmes, being intended to fill the bill for vaudeville, have been arranged as far as possible to provide for a wide range of tastes. The artists chosen in all

cases are ones which are quite likely to appear in variety if given the chance. It is obvious that it would be impossible to place Galli Curci, John McCormack, Peter Dawson, Kriesler and a whole heap of similar celebrities on a vaudeville programme. . . . Vaudeville as 1 know it is essentially a collection of artists all skilled in variety. Unfortunately records cannot give us acrobats, jugglers, conjurors, etc." Vaudeville, it is interesting to note, derives its name from the French "Vau de Vire’-literally, the Valley of the Vire (a village in Normandy), where vaudeville songs were first composed. The term vaudeville was originally applied to these songsoriginally popular convivial or satirical street-songs, or songs sung about town. By the introduction of such verses into light plays and operas the way was paved for the modern vaudeville, in which dialogue and pantomime, or sketches, alternate with witty and satirical couplets generally set to well-known popular ars,

The current competition of the series-a musical comedy pro-gramme-should _produce some interesting entries. Entries for the next competition-which calls for a Miscellaneous Classical programme will close on Saturday, August 19. The remaining types of programme in the series, with the closing dates of entries, are as follow: An operatic classical programme (September 2) ; an orchestral and instrumental classical programme (September 16) ; a recital programme by individual artists, not exceeding four in number (September 30); a "theme" programme, i.c., a story, or recital, with appropriate musical numbers interspersed (October 14); a onehour dance programme (old or modern), (October 28) ; a one-hour children’s session (November 11).

The Prizewinners : Ist: Mr. F. G. E. Broad, Port Albert Central, North Auckland. (The prize of One Guinea will be forwarded to Mr. Broad.) 2nd placed competitors :- ‘Mr. H. D. Bruce, Lindisfarne, Hastings, Hawke's Bay; and ‘"Rekordo," Blenheim. (These two competitors were bracketed equal.) Highly Commended:-F, A. COKER, Gisborne; and Cc. L; CROMBIE, Invercargill.