PARADE AT MICROPHONE

Radio Record, 29 April 1938, Page 18

PARADE AT MICROPHONE

Array Of Talent For Coming Season-Famous Artists Under Engagement To N .B.S.-Russian Basso To Tour New Zealand In June-News From The Commercials

FINE array of talent continually parades before the NBS microphones for the benefit of listeners. Among the stars booked by the NBS for the current year is Atexander Kipnis, world-famous Russian basso. who arrives at Wellington in June for a series of public appearances. ‘Two public concerts in each main centre have been arranged, and admirers of the famous singer will have the opportunity of seeing as well as hearing this star THE month of June will also see the arrival of Danny Malone, Irish tenor of international fame, and listeners will be given many opportunities of hearing his artistry). TWO eminent Australian perform: ers also visit New Zealand during 1938. . Frederick Collier, bass-bari-tone, arrives in May, having recently toured Australia under engagement to the ABC. Returning to ‘his native land from England with assured fame and a record of high achievement, Mr. Collier was immediately. engaged by the NBS for a six weeks’ tour of New Zealand. DECEMBER sees the arrival at Wellington of Clement Q. Wil liams, another outstanding Austra: lian baritone, known to listeners by his fine recordings frequently heard from the YA stations. This is not Mr. Williams’s first tour throughout New Zealand, and many listeners will recall his previous ap- ‘ pearances. FEMININE artists of distinction will add to the list of celebrities brought over by the service. Gladys Moncrieff is scheduled to appear in this country when she has recovered from her accident, and Julie Werry, New Zealand soprano, is contracted to arrive at Wellington early in December. SPEAKING over the air is not one of Ladv Galway’s frequent tasks. Consennentlv her visit to the studios of 1YA.on Mav 7 to give an address in support of the Plunket Society’s appeal will be an

event of interest. Her Excellency’s talk, timed to commence at 9.5 p.m., will be rebroadcast by the National stations. PILE great Empire Exhibition at Bellahouston Park, Scotland, all be opened by His Majesty the King at 9.15 p.m. New Zealand time on May 3. The NBS has made arrangements for the rebroadcasting

— ---~ of the King’s speech and the opening of the exhibition. Scotsmen, naturally enough, are proud of this important event. It is not every day that a small country plays host to all the Dominions and nearly forty of the colonies. HE Aeolian Quartet make an appearanee before a 2YA microphone on May 4, with a group of pleasing songs. These four singers have been together for a number of years and have an extensive experience of the concert platform to their credit. HE Victoria College University Students’ Association present "Fifteen Minutes of Songs from Past Extravaganzas," from 2YA on May 5, Lieder Recital VISITOR from Christchureh, Mrs. Hamilton Mercer, will give 49 lieder recital from 2YA on May 2. Her fine contralto voice will be heard in a group of songs by Schumann and Franz,

Play Night JOHN GALSWORTHY’S brilliant play, "Loyalties," will be broadcast from 2VA on May 4 at 9.5 p.m. Produced in the studios of the NBS, the performance ts said to maintain a high standard throughout, and add lustre to the veputation of these productions. ©

Choral Work STATION 1YA will relay from the Town Hall on May 5 a concert to be given by the Royal Auckland Choir, under the conductorship of Mr. Harry Woolley. This is the first public performance of the choir under the new conductor, and supporters of the choir are looking forward to a new era of activity in their ranks, Mr. Woolley is well known as the conductor of the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Choir. , band JN their next broadeast, on May 6. from 2YA, the Port Nicholson Silver Band introduce Mr. H. Hamilton, visitor from England with a baritone yoice eminently suitable for the rollicking type of song he features. As interludes to the band’s items, Mr. Hamilton wil! sing "The Wheel Tapper’s Song." "When My Ships Come Sailing Home." "Ninetta" and "Where’s the Sergeant." Serenade WITH personnel comprising J. Rodgers (flute), Olga Burton (violin), and Mrs. Chas. MacDonald (piano), a newly-formed trio makes its debut on the 2X¥A air. For their initial performance on Thursday, May 5, three popular serenades have been chosen, the respective composers being Titl, Drdla and Moszkowski. To Australia

BEFORE moving on to Australia to further his musical studies ané, possibly, to England and Europe later. Mr. Thomas FE. West gave his final tenor recital from 8YA on Good Friday night. Christchureh listeners hope that this presentation was not "final" as far as the NBS is concerned. Supernatural WITH a high repute for his radio talks on the sea from 2YA, Mr. F. M. Renner is booked to give two talks which will tell a supernaturai

story of the sea, "The Flying Bosun," in two parts. It is not often that a story on the radio goes over the one talk, but this ig a story that breaks naturally and lends itself to be "continued in our next." On The Road H4eITs of the ubiquitous salesman will be the subject of a talk by Mr. G. T. P, Williams from 2YA on May 6. He will tell of quaint experiences on the road in both Australia and New Zealand, "Golden" Sonata BATURD of the chamber music programme from 1YA on May 4 is the presentation of Purcell’s "Golden" Sonata, played by Ina Bosworth, Isobel Langlands, alla Hemus and Sybi) Stokes. This sonata, one of the best knowrm and most pouular works of Pure

cell, is one of the highlights of English seventeenth century music. It displays a very beautiful inventiveness, and, for that period, a considerghle virtnosity. Before And After SONOROUS voice of Dr. E. N, Merrington, principal of Knox College, Dunedin, will be heard from 4YA next Tuesday night at 7.80, when the "History of War and Peace" series of the "Whirligig of Time" talks will be carried a stage further. Dr, Merrington will discuss "The League of Nations Idea Before the Great War." The erudite doctor wil] not leave his subject there, but the following week at the same time will conclude by talking on "The League of Nations After the Great War." First Nights JREMEMBERED for his talks on Henry Irving, Mr. lL. B. Austin, Wellington, is to give three talks for 2YA on "Memorable First Nights in the Theatre," the first from 2YA on

May 2. In this talk he will tell of the first’ night of Tennyson’s "Thomas A’Beckett," produced by Irving, and notable for the fact that it was the last production in which the great actor appeared before his death. Mr..Austin, as Irving’s godson and the son of Irv: ing’s secretary and friend, saw a grest deal of the London theatre in the nineties. Another of his talks will deal with the epoch-making first night of "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray." Ex Cathedra ROM the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral, per 3YA, on Good Friday, came a rendering of Bach’s "Passion." The famous Cathedral Choir~it has earned that.adjective through the comments of many overseas musi-cians-appears to be in excellent fettle, and is remaining very sound under its new master, Mr. Maughan Barnett, The hoys’ voices are as fresh as ever and in the tenor section there are some admirahle voices. In fact, the choir is one of the greatest musical adjuncts the Dominion possesses for the presen-

tation of church music, both in a traditional and modern sense, Cecilia Choir DTDUNEDIN is fairly strongly represented in the musical world by choirs, and several firms and otganisations possess some very fine combinations. When Mr. Anderson ‘Tyrer, judge at the Dunedin competitions held last year on behalf of Trinity College made reference to choral work in Dunedin, he expressed delight at the results obtained. One of the most interesting of private choirs ig the Cecilia Choir, consisting solely of feminine voices. The guiding hand behind this yenture is Miss Meda Paine, music teacher and singer. Her choir does not make many public appearances, but it will be heard from 4YA at 8 p.m. on Monday next. IZB Calls XTRA telephones are being put in to 1ZB to cope with heavy traffic. On one day recently one line was engaged altogether for 16% hours during the eighteen hours the station was on the air, and a second line was engaged ten hours out of the eighteen. For evening request sessions, announced at il pm., and conducted between that time and midnight, recently all the lines were jammed with calls for requests, In one day 1350 phone calls have been made to the station. For Luncheon QNE may lunch in Auckland with Neddo nowadays every day at 1 o'clock, This week he started a daily half-hour of meal-time entertainment. Neddo is providing his own songs and now and again has guest artists with him at the microphone. In Akaroa PUBLICITY, radio and otherwise, is putting Akaroa, the "honeymoon paradise of the South Island," on the map, Station 3ZB had interesting thifgs to say about its centen-

ary celebrations the other day, with Te Ari Pitama, the station’s Maori announcer, giving the Maori portion of the programme. Sky Pageant GQ TATION +ZB was the cause of many people leaving their firesides and Wandering outside the other Saturday night to see a display of the aurora australis, a particularly vivid and flashing display, considerably ahead of the customary dull glows that are the main run of auroral displays in New Zealand, As soon as the announcers at the station learned of the aurora’s

ieee Se presence the information was broadcast, Just a small thing, but it meaut that hundreds of people saw something that was well worth seeing, Phantom Course ACES re-lived, phantom crowds, the eureer round the track and all the aftermath of big racing, were admirably performed hy 3ZB last week when Jack Maybury and company = gave what they called the "Phantom Race. meeting" from Riccearton racecourse. To. Hamilton OFF to Hamilton on May 3 will go the 1ZB concert purty for a concert to aid the Hamilton Amateur Operatic Society. Miss Jean Menzies, secretary of the society. arranged the visit. Among those who will go are Miss Ruth Scott, the Mounce sisters, John Brown, Rod Talbot, Dudley Wrathall and Denis Sheard, The concert party has made many visits to Auckland districts, even as far afield as Helensville, and Taupaki. This will be the first visit to Hamilton. Now Testing UNE on to 1070 k.c. some time and you may hear 1ZB's new transmitter testing. A promise at last fulfilled, its performance in testa is quite satisfactory. Its output is 1009 watts, compared with about 400 watts radiated by the present transmitter, Field strength in the Auckland district appears to be

greater than was expected. Ingineers ure unable to give any set time for testing, or any date for switching over. Country listeners can expect better reception within several weeks. | Dog Hero HvucE St. Bernard dog, accompanied by a tiny tot, was a recent dis-’ tinguished visitor to 4ZB during the children's hour, conducted by Jill and Peter. This huge dog, which drew children from far and near, weighs more than many men, It is 11 stone. The animal has a creditable list of rescues of young children from drowning to its credit. Visitors to the studios were greatly entertained as the St. Bernard walked around with his diminutive mistress hanging on to his tail. There will he another visit by the dog in the near future. Church Visiting NLY a few miles from Christchurch city lies Tai Tapu-famous dairying land, and the district made famous by "Otahuna," the lovely estate owned by the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. Sir Heaton has done much for the district. Among other things he has given a church-this in memory of the late Lady Rhodes. Station 8ZB had the idea of yisiting the church, and’so Te Ari Pitama, accompanied by Sir Heaton, gave listeners an excellent description of the building and its features, Organ music in the backgrourf, from the church itself, made this relay one of the best of its kind the station has done for some time, "They're Off" QTATION 4ZB has a new method of heralding the «announcement of racing results. First is heard the cliplop of galloping hooves, and the stacecato cry: "They're off!’ Then comes the latest information. The introduction to the announcement is carried out by means of a special record distinguished at a glance by the control muan. He ean't make a mistake, for some enterprising being has pasted on the envelope of the record a comical cutting of a saucy-looking "Galloping Gert." Non-Stop Most members of radio staffs had a » : busy week-end, those whose duty it was to provide wet weuther entertainment for comfortably dry listeners, Both stations in Christcburch set themselves out to catch the spirit of the season. One of the hardest Worked men, probably, was Jack Maybury, of 3ZB. In the morning he sturted with a relay from the Majestic Theatre of the performances of the Tamous dog, Caesar: then he judged a dog compé¢tition; lunchers were next to he entertained, followed a bit later by the children’s session. At night, in addition to his other studio duties, he rresented an excellent relay from the Cutts Brothers’ raci.ig stables, describ. ing horsy life and discussing prospects for the big race meetings. Origins "THE old plaint that commercial radio has induced Australians to flock to New Zealand is fast dying out. At 1ZB of a staff of more than 60 two are of Australian birth. One, Denis Sheard, has been in New Zealand for many years. The other, Guy Nixon, of the

announcing staff, wag here a year before the service was organised. Of the senior half-dozen men in the station three or New Zealanders and three Englishmen. The only person of foreign birth is George Vryer, "The Wane derer,* who is Dutch. Young Farmers FIRST talk of the agricultural series at 1YA for the year begins on May 2, when at 7.80 Mr. P. W. Smalltield. tields superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, Hamilton, will speak on "Young Farmers’ Clubs." These agricultural talks will continue right through the year on consecutive Mondays until December 1. Len Bates, Of 4ZB BY profession a school teacher, Len Bates has been associated with radio for the last 13 years. He began his radio career with the original 4ZB

(now 4ZD) in Dunedin, and was later ussociated with several B-class_ stations in the southern city. In 1932 he was appointed director of 2ZR, Nelson, remaining there until the Government took over its control. He then joined the commercial service and was made announcer at 4ZB, where, in company with Peter Dawson, his cheery voive is heard on the breakfast session. Men Only ERALDED by announcements put over for several nights in dramatic whispers, the first session of a new 47ZB feature, "For Men Only," was put across last Tuesday night. The session opened with an injunction to all mea to make sure the "missus" had gone to bed. to:-light up pipes, to put both feet on the mantelpiece, and be ready for 4 bright half-hour. The entire staff of evening announcers were the hosts, and the entertainers were Ronald Frankan, George Formby, Sophie Tucker, Max Miller, "Little Audrey,’ Sandy Powell, "Daisy and Gert." Outdoors TATION 4ZB is taking to the great outdoors. Within the space of @ week excellent outside broadcasts were relayed from the Cape Saunders lighthouse; the Sea Scouts’ camp at Company’s Bay; a leading city laundry; the clock tower of the Town Hall, from

which a vivid description of the city by night was given; the railway station on the occasion of the departure of the Otago and Southland returned soldiers en route for Sydney; 2nd, at very short notice, from St. Kilda beach, where a huge sea elephant had come ashore. Don Donaldson was responsible for all but one of these outside broadcasts. Happiness Cot JDOROTHY WOOD plans a_ huge Mother’s Day concert in the Auckland Town Hall on the second Sunday in May. The funds raised by the concert will be used to endow a Happiness Cot in the Auckland Publie Hospital; £130 will be needed in all, but Dorothy is sure she can raise that much easily. The concert is timed to commence at 8.15 on Sunday evening. Happiness Club activities keep Dorothy more than just busy nowadays. She proudly announced 1200 members last week. Old Time Dances QTATION 1YA presents an old-time dance programme on Saturday, May 7, beginning at 9.15 and extending to 11.30. The music will be relayed from the Pirate Shippe Cabaret at Milford, one of the most popular of the old-time dance halls, Filled The Gaps (CANTERBURY listeners who had tuned in their receiving sets for the races of Easter Saturday were not disappointed when the time originally set aside for the start of the classic meetings came along. They had been warned by 3YA thnt wet weather and a slushy track had caused an unavoidable postponement. The station, howeyer, set about filling in the gaps and giving listeners something to help along the carnival spirit. At night the Bailey-Marston dance orchestra played rhythm on relay from the Winter Garden, First Aid RELAYS from Wellington on road safety, with particular regard for motorists, eyclists and pedestrians, seem to have had their effect in Christchurch. Station 8YA put them out at suitable times, and the result was that, speaking generally, traffic during Easter was surprisingly free from the usual crop of casuallies. Most of the messages were broadcast during the news session. The Swine 11s PARKER BUTLER once told us in the title of an amusing book that "Pigs is Pigs." Nevertheless pigs "is" also hogs or swine, the latter being rather an objectionable term to apply to an animal that supplies tasty breakfasts. The pig as a farm creature is increasing in importance, and the welfare of, "porkers" will be the subject of the talk to young farmers delivered from 4YA at 7.30 next Monday night. Mr. N. McDonald, superintendent of the Southland and Otago Pig Council, will discuss, ‘Swine in Practice." What's In A Name? PLACE names are merely accepted by the public. It is only when someone goes to the trouble of unearthing the why and wherefor of cer-

tain unusual names that odd and interesting scraps of history or romance reveal themselves. Some months ago newspaperman H. A. Glasson_ surprised Dunedin people with quaint little facts about the naming of certain areas, and these facts formed the subject of an unusually entertaining radio talk, Since then Mr. Glasson has been busy delving into further research, and has compiled another list of mame curiosities, He will be heard from 4YA at 8.40 next Tuesday night on "Dunedin Place Naines." N.Z. Novelist )XPERT in writing "thrillers’-and real ones at that-Miss Ngaio Marsh has returned to Christchurch after a year abroad. Her idea for the

moment is to settle down to a new novel. Isnglish drama, Miss Marsh told an interviewer, was very sound, but many interesting experiments were being tried. A notable development was the Players’ Theatre Club. A group of actors had taken an old Victorian music-hall and turned on burlesques of old-fashioned vaudeville turns. These shows, she said, were given after the theatre, and the actors were not paid. But many attracted the attention of producers and thus secured engagements. Only a year or so ago in Christchurch Miss Marsh, herself an actress of ability, made an impression on the audience in a famous sacred classic drama, Both Well HAIGH up on Highcliff hill on Otago Peninsula, facing the city of Dunedin, towers the 4YA mast, 500 odd feet of it. A stone’s throw from it the more unpretentious 4ZB mast, just one-fifth the height of the other. The other day in a suburbanbound tramcar a man pointed the masts out to his companion, "Look at those masts," he said. "They look like mother and son." A woman sitting next to him instantly broke in, "Yes, and both doing qwell,"?

Better Fare? A PTER a break of afortnight station * 4YA will resume its presentations of studio players en Monday nights Although the standard of plays lately has heen inferior, listeners have come to look upon Monday as play night. und are disappointed if one is not forthvorning, Nexr Monday, "Peace by che Derwent." by John Harvey, and adapted for radio by George Walton: will be ziven, the producer being Mr. G, Fleraing, 30th title and theme = indicace that this wil] be better fare than has heen offered recently. Seeing Stars AHORT recorded talks on astronomy *" hy the Rey. B, Dudley, F.R.A.S., i corporared in the children's | sessiot from 4¥A on Monday nights, have proved well liked during the = last month. Next Monday, at 5.30 p.m., the topie will be "arth and Sky." Dora ORA LINDSAY, popular Scottish comedienne, will he heard in three different hroadeasts from 4YA next week, Her first appearance hefore the microphone will be at 8.26 p.m. on May 8. She will again appear the foljowing night at 8.18, and her final apperrance will he on Saturday at S35. Quite liberal measure, About 1ZM POPULAR with listeners on Sunday nights are the series labelled "A Century of Ballads.’ hroadeast hy IZM. These have heen arranged, and are presented by Mr. W. W. Rodgers in & manner deserving high praise, for the stories associated with the different songs and their composers are of 4 high educational value, hesides being entertaining, Other sessions from this station that are in demand are the dance programmes and the celebrity half-hour on Wednesdays, conducted by