Poe Thrills Wellington Listeners

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 20, 30 November 1934, Page 21

Poe Thrills Wellington Listeners

"The Cask of Amontillado," Presented at 2YA Last Week, Outstanding Among Radio Plays-Arrangements in Hand for Big Community Sing on December 10-Techniecal College Choirs te Broadeast Again.

L8TEN BRS to 2YA had a real thrill last Thursday night, when Victor S. Lloyd and company presented "The Cask of Amoutillado," adapted from the story by Mdgar Allan Poe. Ivery member of the cast was excellent in this presentation, which ranks among the best radio plays heard in this cotuntry. Mr, Liloyd’s production was of it very high standard, and the "effects" were of considerable value in unfolding the plot. Comedy and drama _ were. cleyérly intermingled in the play, which, without iosing any of the horror of Poe’s original, has by ho means slavishly followed the story, to the detriment of the piece as a radio play. R. A. J. ("MIOK"’) DARBY, who will be heard "over the air" from 2YA for the first time on the occasion of the big Christmas community sing in the Wellington. Town Hall on the evening of Monday, December 10, is not only a remarkably gifted entertainer, but is also one of the Dominiot’s outstanding athletes. Mr. Darby, who hails from Wanganui, is an exceptionally clever mimic, us Well as being a baritone of no mean ability. At the Town Halli "sing" he will present 4 baritone solo and sevetal imitations of a novel character, also a special novelty turn, which. it is claimed, will deceive all listeners who have not préviously heard Mr. Darby in this particular item. . ‘ S an illustration of Mr. Darby’s remarkable gift of mimicry, the story is told that on one occasion he was attendinz a concert at which the superintendent of the local fire brigade was also present. From the back of the hall Mr, Darby gave a realistic imitation of the fire brigade’s sirén-so realistic that the superintendent rushed from the hall and did not stop running till he reached the fire station. Listeners are sure to enjoy the various items which ‘will be presented by Mx, Darby during the sing on December 10, NCH agiin listeners are to hear the boys’ and yirls’ choirs and the orchestra of the Wellington ‘rechnical College on the air, when these combinations are to present the second half of 2YA’s programme on Monday, Deecember 38. When they first broadcast some months ago. it was the first oveasion in Welilngton on which school organisations had provided the entertainment for listeners to the main sta- tion. After the last performance, most listeners agreed in praising very highly the perfurmiances by these school pupils, and they will look forward to hearing them again next week, yp connection with the Smith Family’s Christmas Community Sing in the Wellington Town Hall on Monday, December 10, an illustrated souvenir booklet and programme js being issued. This is more than a mere programme of the

night’s entertainment and will give readers some jden of what is being done . to ameliorate the lot of those Who have been "up against it’ during the economic crisis. With each copy of the booklet an art tinion ticket is enclosed, entitling the holder to a share in the drawing of the 16 prizes which have heen donated for the occasion. These include 13 beautifully dressed dolls, which will gludden the hearts of the children who receive them. Tor boys there is a Hornby train and for adults there is a still life oil painting, valued by an expert at £20, and a model Maori whare intended to be used as a post box. Applications for booklets and tickets should be made to The Secretary, Smith Family, Wellington, sixpence jn stamps (or otherwise) to be enclosed with each application. There are no expenses in connection with this art union and booklet, and every penny received will be devoted to purchasing actual necessities for desetving . families this Christmas. VERY old friend of Wellington listeners will rettiYn to the "mike" on Sattirday, December 8. This is Mr. J. W. Heenan, whose talks ou various subjects connected with racing were eagerly listened to by many some

ovr =el‘aryv "ll OP UU ?"- #1 O99" lil "™™ time ago. Sporting enthusiasts will remember particilarly Mr. Heenan’s fine series of talks on various notable turf contests seen on the ‘Trentham racecourse during the last 80 years or so On Saturday week Mr. Heenan is to speak on "Royalty and Racitig." N Friday, December 7, a visitor from Auckland will be introduced to Wellington listener: in the person of Miss Mina Caldow, who is to be heard in two brief contralto recitals. Miss Caldow is well known in Atickland, and listeners should not miss the cpporttnity of henring this talented artist when she broadeasts from 2YA next week, Miss RUTH MANN, who is to be * heard in contralto solos from 2YA on Monday, December 3, is no stranger to the microphone, for she has. sung several times before from the Wellington station, Miss Mann has been fortunate in arousing the interest of Madame Blsa Stralia, the famous Australian’. soprano, and this wellknown singer speaks very highly of Miss Mann’s voice.

R, CLIVN DRUMMOND, announcer at 2YA, is on holiday and his place is being taken by Mr. L. BE, Strachan whose voice is heard by listeners to this station every Wednesday. Prior to taking up his broadeasting activities, Mr. Strachan, was well-known in musical circles in Christehurcli, both as a performer and writer on musical subjects. llig musical career dates back to the time when he was five years of age, when he commenced his musical studies under the late Mr. Faulkner, the blind organist and choirmaster of St. John’s Church, Christehurch. Subsequently Mr. Strachan was a chorister in the Christchurch Cathedral Choir for several years. At the age of 15 he was appointed organist of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Christchurch. MR. STRACHAN holds three dipiomas from Trinity College of Music Tondon-Associate Pianist, Associate Organist and Teacher’s Diploma. He also completed with honotirs the full course in miusic at Canterbury University College, equivalent to the requirements for the Mis.Bac, degree. Mr, Strachan will preside at the grand organ in the Yown Hall on the occasion of the Smith Tamily’s Christmas Community Sing on Monday, December 10, and will also act as accompanist for Mr, Harold Prescott, the New Zealand tenor, who Las been associated with Mr, Strachan on many musical occasions in past Years. FARMERS all over the country will no doubt be anxious listeners to 2YA on the morhing of Saturday, Deccmber 8, when, at 8.380, there is to be a relay from the Wellington Town Hiall of the proceedings at the first Wool sale of the 1934-5 season. In deed, there will be many other listeners besides those on the land on that ocedsion waiting to hear what is to be the fate of the New Zealand farmer this season.