RIGHT MAN, RIGHT JOB

Radio Record, 26 June 1936, Page 16

RIGHT MAN, RIGHT JOB

is =f MR. DAN McKIVETT, who has recently been appointed manager of the Plaza Theatre, Christchurch, is not unknown to listeners, as he has been heard over the air on many occasions, not only in his own numbers, but also in operatic’ and other amateur productions. But few listeners know that he was the first announcer at the Christchurch station 3YA. That, obviously, was in the early days of broadcasting. In conversation with our Christchurch correspondent, he related some amusing experiences which at the time were really very serious matters. At that time artists were unpaid, and frequently the hour of starting a %, concert ‘programme would arrivewithout the performers! A record would be played or a roll put on the automatic piano, while Mr. McKivett and the programme ‘organiser, Mr. Harry Sweeney, would be frantically scouring likely places to find the delinquents or suitable substitutes. When this failed, as: often happened, Mr, McKivett would fill the gap with a "tenor solo," "humorous song" or "recitation," or tell stories ad lib, under assumed names, while in desperation he watched the studio door for the appearance of a tardy arrival. On other occasions singers or others would give of their best before the |, microphone, only to find that the ify had "not gone ,out," because faulty switch or other 4 in what, in the light of present-day broadcasting, was fairly crude apparatus. It may be of interest to Wellington readers to know that Mr. McKivett is a former resident of Oriental Bay, having lived in Hay Street for 18 yexrs ~ before going South. He has been very prominent in the entertainment world of Christchurch for a number of years, having played the comedy leads in the operatic society’s productions of "San Toy," "Our Miss Gibbs," "The Runaway Girl’ and "The Messenger Boy," and is‘an active member of the Christbeen elected to the executive. ¢ He was, until taking up this appoint: ment, also a member of the Commercial Travellers’ Choir, and last season made an enviable reputation for himself with followers of broadsiding .at Monica Park, by the bright and amusing manner in which he did the announcing of the events and advertising over the loudspeaker installed by 8ZW. . Many a frown on the faces of patrons, at what appeared to be an unwarranted delay or other incident, would be turned to a laugh by a facetious reference at the opportune moment. As the result of these activities he is well-known to the amusementseeking public and looks like the right man in the right job. church Savage Club, having pe \