N.Z. Singers Broadcast To Empire

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 17, 2 November 1934, Page 31

N.Z. Singers Broadcast To Empire

Christchurch Artists on the Air From Daventry This Week — The Wellington Repertory Theatre to Present a One-act Play Evening-"The Runaway Girl" in A uckland.

"THE Christchurch singers, Mr. M, J. ' Miller and Miss Merle Miller, will be heard over the air in an Empire broadeast from England arranged by the British Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday, October 31. They will sing solos as well as duets. Miss Miller is still with the Old Vic-Sadlers Wells organisation, and is at present rehearsing a small part in "Madame Butterfly," which is being prepared for Sadlers Wells. Mr. Miller was for some time the leader of the choir at St.’ Columb's. Notting Hill, but has been recently appointed vicar choral, St. Paul's Cathedral. This is the official title of the choristers at the Cathedral. He is continuing his studies at the Royal College of. Musie under Professor Aibert Garcia. ACCEDING to numerous requests, the committee of the Wellington Repertory Theatre have decided to pre sent, in the Concert .Chamber of the Town Hall on Friday. November 2: What they consider are the five bes one-act plays done in the studio during the past twelve mouths. The titles and casts are as follow :-‘The Twelve Pound Look" (J. M. Barrie). Mrs. Ina Allen and Mrs. J. EB. L. Baldwin; produced. by Mrs. John Hastings. "Mild Oats" (Noel Coward), Miss Ngaire-Horton and Mr. B. R. O’Brien; produced by Mrs. Vera Horton. "EE. and O. EK." (Eliot Crawshaw-Williams). Mrs. Lulu Tingey, Miss Kathleen Smith, Messrs. G. O. Cooper, R. E. Pope and B. R. O’Brien; produced by Mrs. Mary Mackenzie. "So This Is Paris Green" (IXenyon Nicholson). Mrs. John Hastings, Messrs. F. G. Hayes-Towns and G..H. A. Swan; produced by N. A Byrne. "The Dumb and the Blind" (Harold Chapin). Misses Coralie Smythson and Hdna Purdie. and Messrs. I, G, Hayes-Towns and I. A. Painter: producer. Mr. G@. H. A. Swan. "BLUE Mountain Melody," the Australian musical comedy, staged by J. ©. Williamson, Ltd., at the Theatre Royal, Sydney. is having a most suecessful season. This production is Australian in every way, written by Jim Bancks, of "Ginger Meges" fame, with music by Charles Zwar, the young Melbourne composer. The cast is headed by the Australian stage favourites Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, with whom is associated a brilliant cast in cluding Leo Franklyn. Frank Leighton. Gus Bluett. Agnes Doyle, Marie a Varre, and others. The play is produced by Frederick Blackman. -° THE Christchurch Repertory Society’s last production for. the year will be St. John Irvine’s "Mary. Mary Quite Contrary," which will be presented on December 1. Miss Audrey Cotterill wil! be in the name part. and will be supported by a strong cast This will he the first production by the Repertory Society.of a play by this. well-known modern dramatist,

[Pur next production of the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society is to be Lionel Monckton’s "The Runaway Girl," which was one of the famous "Girl" series of musical comedies presented originally at the London Gaiety Theatre, where it was one of the most successful of that very successful

series. One of the reasons why it is not played by: professional companies now visiting the Dominion is fhat or account of the very large cast required the expenses are considerable. In the society’s production an exceptionally talented cast of local players has been assembled, headed by Reta Maccullay. who made such an electric suecess in the role of "Fifi" in the ‘Belle of New York," staged a little while ago at His Majesty’s Theatre. Miss Maccullay has a role in "Runaway Girl" that suits her to perfection. As Winifred Grey-the "Runaway Girl'’-Miss Mac. cnilay’s singing and histrionie abilities are heard and seen to full advantage. Mr. Bob Fenwick. cast for the role of Guy Stanley, will be remembered for his portrayal of Kenneth Mugg. the song-and-dance comedian in "Belle of New York." The location of rhe play -Corsica and Venice-give ample scope

for effective stage sets and attractive lighting and costuming provide a background in keeping with the high standard set for the society’s previous productions. Major F. H. Lampen is protlucer and Mr. Colin Muston. musical director. Iii programme given by the Australian boy pianist, Philip Hargrave, at his first concert in Auckland Was remarkable for its range and difliculty. -It included the ‘Prelude’ and Fugue in © Major’ (Bach). "Moonlight sonata" (Beethoven), "Italian Con_certo" (Bach), "Impromptu. in B Flat’ and "Moment Musical" (Schubert), and "Fantasia Impromptu," "Berceuse’" and "Etude in.@ Flat" (Chopin). THE Grenadier Guards’ Band is not only a versatile body of musicians. but it is also a unit skilled in military evolutions, While in New Zealand it Will give: special displays ‘of marching a’ spectacular sight to which the uniform of the guardsmen and their head(lress contribute not a little. The drums of the band are inscribed with the names of battles fought and won. Waterloo. Blenheim, Inkerman, Mons, Namur, and others.