Public Apathy Forces Retirement

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 46, 24 May 1935, Page 20

Public Apathy Forces Retirement

Christchurch Musical Comedy Society, Faced With £200 Loss on "Sally," Asks "What’s Wrong With the Christchurch Public?"Big Support For Broadcasting Board’s Concert.

Was "Sally," recently produced by the Christchurch Musical Comedy Society, too respectable for the audiences? Considering that all the recent touring revue companies could play to capacity houses during their stay in Christchurch seems to indicate the standard of entertainment the majority of people prefer. Some of the dialogue in "Sally" is absolutely brilliant, and yet the introduced skit about Mae West. succeeded in getting the biggest laugh. Three artists were outstanding in "Sally’-Irene Stone, Alfred Haigh and Molly Fowler-and yet the company lost £200 on the production. Dunedin put this show across and made £500, and the whole of the first act wardrobe and scenery, excepting "Sally’s" frocks, was lent to Christchurch from the south-and how the Christchurch public pulled that act to pieces! "PHE amazing part is that Irene Stone was principal dancer in "Rio Rita" and other musical comedies Which toured New Zealand, and Wellington evidently appreciates her tal. cnt, for she has been chosen as the adjudicator at the official competitions to he held there in August. HE comedian, Alf Haigh, is as good as you could get in any part of this country, and any man who is good enough to understudy Arthur Stigant and Gus Bluett, and play their parts in Sydney and Melbourne, vas surely good enough to please the most fastidious? Molly Fowler is a charming little actress and made an exceptionally good "Rosie," and now the producers are asking what’s wrong with the Christchurch public. Is it tired of amateur shows? Through their apathy they have forced the society to go into ‘tetirement, for the present at any rate. and some means will have to be de-vised-combined with originality-to attempt to wipe off the debt incurred. This society is not the only one in Christchurch which lacks the publie’s support-other societies are clamour ing for new subscribers, and two haye formed women’s auxiliaries which aye proving successful, ss HE Christchurch Musical Comers Society produce one musical comedy a year: "The Country Girl," "Our Miss Gibbs" and "The Runaway Girl’ showed a profit, The last making £300 after Williamsons had lost heayily.on it. The same amount of money is spent on each play, and yet "The Messenger Boy," "Les (Cloches de Corneville" and "Sally" lost money. J. C. Williamsons revive yery few comic operas, but they withhold the rights of many, probably with the idea of producing them in the near future. IIloweyer, with the losses sustained on "The Du Barry" and "Waltzes from Vienna" they are a bit tired of New Zealand audiences, "White Horse Inn"

was booked for a tour, but Williamsons have cancelled it. After all, the selection of shows available -to-the society is fairly limited, Williamsons holding the rights to all the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. HE 25th festival of the Christchurch Competitions Society .is proving very popular, crowds attending every session. At the opening ceremony the Mayor of Christchurch stressed the educational yalue of the competitions, and with the wonderful development that had taken place in broadcasting the society is more necessary than ever. This

development enabled people to be consumers instead of producers, and no education is complete without taking a partin it. The society has the effect of stimulating and cultivating the. artistic qualities of the many talented people who might otherwise become mer ely spectators. AN New Zealand Broadcasting Board's concert last week in Christchurch was one of the best-from a musical point of view-that has been heard in Christchurch. The singing of Walter Kingsley and Lionello Cecil received a great ovation, and in their duet numbers they delighted listeners and the audience. The cornet playing of Mr, John Robertson was a revelation, and Mr. R. J. Estall considers that Mr. Robertson is one of the finest players in the world. Mr. Paul Vinogradoff was welcomed back to

and he had to respond to more than one encore. The champion band of New Zealand was in good form, and their playing is réminiscent of the organ, so pure are its tones. "The Bohemian Girl" overture was excellent. Mr. I. J. Bstall is a splendid conductor, and: the band accompanied Mr. John Robertson after only one rehearsal. The 3YA orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. Harold Beck, played the "Wildflower" selection excellently. ‘THE distinguished theosophical author and lecturer, Mr, C, Jinarajadasa, M.A., gave his first broadcast from 8YA on Friday evening, and listeners must have realised how great a theosophist Mr. Jinarajadasa is. He spoke of the link between the teacher and the child. Mx. Jinarajadasa praised the absence of advertising on the radio in New Zealand and the refusal to follow American trends, and was glad that the national stations were broadcasting orchestral concerts. But even yet there was room for improvement, he considered, in encouraging original interpretations, and he hoped this would be developed on a larger scale. A CONTRACT tp play at theatres and ~ cabarets and over the radio, at. various centres in the North Island, has been secured by the well-known Christchurch dance band conducted by Bob Bradford. Mr. Bradford will take three members of his present band besides himself, and will augment the conibination by the addition of another Christchurch player and two musicians from the North Islard. The band will be called the "Internationals" and will] start its contract, which is of at least four months, about the end of this month. It also intends to participate in the New Zealand datice bands’ contest at Wanganui on June 22, it being the only band from the South Island to enter so far. Bob Bradford’s band has often been heard from 3YA. ADAM BETTS-VINCENT is very original in the treatment of her piano recitals, and her playing from 38YA last Thursday night was greatly enjoyed. Prior to playing each of her numbers, Madam Betts-Vinéent makes a brief comment. She is teacher of musical appreciation at the Wanganui Girls’ College. HE night following the Charity Concert, the Christchurch Orchestral Society’s was relayed by 3YA from the Radiant Hall, and this »roved a very bright programme, which was enjoved by listeners and reflected great credit on the society’s conductor, Mr. Hrnest Jamieson, who is acting at present in place of Mr. Alfred Bunz.