SPOTLIGHT FOR BEECHAM

Radio Record, Volume IX, Issue 14, 11 October 1935, Page 5

SPOTLIGHT FOR BEECHAM

"SAY what you like about me-but be sure to mention my name," George M. Cohan, the famous American theatrical man, once said to an interviewer. Into the same realm of publicity-seeking- comes Sir Thomas Beecham, who seems to be vying with Mussolini, Hitler, Lloyd George and Sir Alexander Herdman for the limelight. Sir Thomas, who was stated to be coming out to New Zealand with his own orchestra some time ago, made England ring recently with his attacks on the B.B.C.. It all began over a broadcast version of "Hansel and Gretel’’ which Sir Thomas condemned most heartily. He then proceeded to attack the B.B.C. on the grounds that it was killing musical appreciation in England, that it was misleading the listening public-ana much more in the same vein. And now. | his latest stunt. On the last night of the Russian Ballet at Covent Garden Sir Thomas came out of the orchestra well on to the stage and announced, "‘Ladies and gentlemen, | and the orchestra thought we. would pla: you the following little piece. We thought you would probably like to hear the following little piece. But, as a matter of fact, I don't care whether you like to hear the following little piece or 10t. WH ARE GOING TO PLAY IT!? Which would indicate either that Sir Thomas Beecham’s star is waning and that he must keep it gleaming at any cost or that the adulation of a concert-going public has gone to his leonine head.