Three Men in a Boat

Radio Record, Volume X, Issue 3, 24 July 1936, Page 7

Three Men in a Boat

Comedians ‘Who Lead a Contingent of Six. Broadcast Artists

? SHOULD really have said "Four men and two women in a boat," but the heading looks . better as it is, don’t you think?-Or don’t you? Here isthe roll-call of artists due for broadcast tours of New’ Zealand, and all stepping off the Wanganella in Wellington on July 29: Hileen Boyd (Australian contralto), Thea Philips (English soprano), Senia Chostiakoff _ (Russian tenor), Dave Howard (Bnglish saxophonist-comedian), Vincent Ryan (Australian comedian) and Freddy. Cholmondeley-whew !-(English humorist). . The last three being in the same class, that of

comedy, were chosen as the victims of our writer of headlines. Seeing we don’t dare to explain the difference between a humorist and a comediannot that we know it-readers will have to wait untill these: gentlemen are broadcast here and then decide for themselves, We know the difference between a saxophonist and a comedian (no offence meant), but here comes Dave Howard, combining the

two ideas. So what can we do about that? Just have to wait until they all arrive and we can present them to you personally. Meantime, here are a few jottings about these and the other artists who are bent on invading New Zealand next week. Ladies first, please! POPULARLY known in’ England and later in Australia as "the soprano without a wobble," Miss Thea Philips comes to this country after many a Covent Garden triumph under the conductorship of Sir Thomas Beecham, and with a record of unstinted praise from critics throughout Burope. She is a splendid dramatic soprano with an attractive’ personality and a particulary aptitude for expositions of Wagnerian roles which has earned her considerable distinction. Born at Doréhester, England, she began her career aS a singer at the age of 18. Her debut on the operatic stage as Venus in "Dannhauser". during ‘one of the seasons given by Joseph ‘O’Mara

drew unusual attention to herself, and later she spent about two years in Italy to extend her operatic experience.. After this she undertook a broadcasting tour of Canada. Thereafter she spent three years in London and the provinces with the Covent Garden Company, and since 1934 she has been with J. C. Williamson’s:- Grand Opera shows and later under engagement to the A.B.C. At the age of 11, Hileen Boyd made her appearance as a child prodigy in "Floradora" in Sydney: Since ‘then she has not only had a meteoric career, but is still "at the top," for as a contralto of rare purity and excellent tonal quality, and as a sympathetic interpreter of song she is almost without rival, Through May Summerbelle and Dame Clara Butt she was sent from Australia to Paris, where she studied under the famous Madame Marchesi. She later had coaching from Sir Henry Wood, in London, where she had an uninterrupted career of successes, singing at the Queen’s Hall, the Albert Hall, Crystal Palace, Alexandra: Palace and elsewhere. She toured with Mark Hambourg through England and Scotland, and was also with’ Clara Butt’s Red Cross tour through England, Scotland and Wales. Since returning to Australia she has been teaching voice production and singing, and her record of public and. broadcast performances in the last few years has ‘been most commendable. . . (COMEDY and Vincent Ryan are synonymous terms. In the picture of him on this page yeu see him as he would appear in a tramcar or a bus, or on the street. But We have seen him in stage costume as a sad, sad man ready to unload himself of streams of: witty

Salles and aimless droliery. he of-' fice cat hasn’t met him yet, so we don’t know whether he’d make a cat laugh, but it’s a sure thing that New Zealand listeners will show the way tothe family pets. Heisa graduate of Sydney University, possessing a. degree in chemistry. The lure of a radio and stage career proved too inviting, so he developed the undoubted talent he showed when producing and appear--ing in amateur theatricals at school and at the university. His philosophy was that it would be much better -to’ keep people happy and well by giving them a good laugh or so than by supplying lost health in bottles and pills. He’s a. top-notcher for. community sings, and. has not only an uproarious comic ability on stage, but has deéveloped a most effective and distinctive radio technique. We're waiting, Vingent . (Continued on next page.)

(Continued from previous page.) JFYAVE HOWARD is a bird of mixed plumage. He should appreciate the signal honour bestowed upon him of being the first saxophonist to have a New Zealand broadcast tour. Heisa versatile comedian to boot. All that Percy Grainger has said in praise of the saxophone is proved justified by Howard’s playing. His burlesque numbers, witty patter and sentimental songs made public audiences in relayed concerts ask for more wherever he went in Australia, where he has enjoyed an extensive tour. He has a particularly friendly style in his microphone appearances. BOUT two years ago Senia Chostiakoff, one of the first "imported" artists to tour New Zealand, created a most enthusiastic listening public for himself, and made several successful concert appearances. The entire visit was most popular, and there have been repeated requests for his return. ‘This Russian tenor has been since then increasing his fan following in Australia. Hig return visit here will satisfy at least one section of the listeners that they do occasionally get what they want. . JYREDDY CHOLMONDELEY is not what he appears to be. You have to completely ignore the spelling of his name and call him Chumley-or plain Freddy. As a concert comedian in his early years he gained g footing, a remuneration of 5/- a performance, and sometimes "the bird." But -he was not alone in these features. He joined up With a concert party called "Nicely, Thanks," among the members of which were some now famous stage stars, including Leslie Henson and Stanley Holloway. They received £2/10/each ! After serving in the war. Freddy appeared at the London Coliseum, following which he was engaged for revue with George Robey. He went to Australia in 1923 under engagement to J. C. Williamson, and during eight years he appeared with such stars as Gladys Moncrieff, Oscar Asche and Maurice Moscovitch. He has been doing broadcast work for five years now-and can he tell you something to make you laugh? Ask his Australian listeners.