PROFESSIONALS IN ROLES

Radio Record, 6 May 1938, Page 18

PROFESSIONALS IN ROLES

NBS Play Production Of Florence Nightingale-Radio Service For Cricket Tests-Polling In Municipal Elections To Be Broadcast-News From The Commercials —

UNUSU AL move of the NBS has its fruit in the presentation ot a radio play on the life of Florence Nightingale, ' from 2YD Wellington, at 9 p.m., on Sunday, May 8, and at later dates, not yet fixed, from the main Nationa’ stations in other: centres ‘For this presentation the large cast used included several memiers of Miss Fay Compton’s company, who visited New Zealand in: the play "Victoria Regina." They were Miss Dorothy Barclay, Mrs Field Fisher and Mr. Field Fisher, and Mr. Guy Hastings, Lynda Hastings taking the part of Florence Nightingale. This is the first time members of alt overseas touring play have taken part in an NBS recorded production. The Ethel Morrison touring company took part in an unrecorded plav some eighteen months ago. The feature has been adapted from Warner Brothers’ film scenario of "The White Angel," which starred Kay Francis. The story graphically portrays the difficulties and intolerance encountered by Florence Nightingale in her endeavours to establish the principle of women nurses in the proximity of the battle field. . ALEXANDER KIPNIS, worldfamous Russian basso,-who ar vives in Wellington in June under contract to the NBS for a series of public appearances, has a voice which he knows how to use in all its aspects. His interpretations are perfect, perfect in their sense of dignity and in serving the composers’ intentions. At the time of writing, Dora Lindsay, comedienne, wag giving her inimitable Scottish programmes in Dunedin. She is schedule¢ to take the microphone at 8YA again on May 12 and 14. One may be pardoned for wondering if her Scottish burr will be any thicker after her trip to the New Vealand Highlanders’ home. Four national stations will encourage listeners to stay at at home instead of getting jammed in streets crowds on the night of the municipal elections-May 11. Results of the polling will be announced as they come to hand, and will be given out until the issue is decided. Shonld any speeches be made, Lowever, listeners desiring to hear these may have to venture into the cold night air,

as it ig not the station’s intention to touch these. The stations will set aside May 11 for a full and detailed series of progress reports on just how the city fathers are faring at the poll. Bright recordings will be interspersed. STATION 4VA will play a part in rebroadcasting commentaries on the cricket Tests between England and Australia. On the first day of each Test the station will handle the

relay from 10 till 11 p.m., and on subsequent days from 9.30 p.m. until 11 pan. Station 2Y A will be on the air all night from.10 p.m. until 5 am. The Tests are scheduled to begin as follow: First Test, June 10; second, June 24; third, July 8; fourth, July 22, and fifth, August 0. N future, Christchurch listeners who find complete radic satisfaction in serial programmes-and there ate many of them-would be well advised to set aside Tuesday nights for the fire side with the dial-pvinter indicating 8YA. With the conclusion of the "Story of the Life of Empress Josephine" on May 10, 3YA will present "The Strange Adventures of Mr. Penny" and "William the Conqueror" and "Hotel Revue," s musical serial. All these events will take place between eight and nine o'clock. On Saturday nights, "Coronets of Hugland" .and

"The Fourth Form at St. Percy’s" will be running. Thus, there will be two nights in the week for serials. F{LESH-AND-BLOOD ‘patter comedians of any sort cf quality are rare from the stations of the NBS. Two local artists have for some time made platform hits in Dunedin, and the appearance »f Reno and White has always drawn spontaneous applause. White is the aggressive member of the duo, and is also a vocalist of fair calibre. Reno is an excellent foil, but

is generally just one "too many" for White. Their appearance before the microphone should b2 a welcome one. The change from stereotyped recorddings in itself should give gratification. Reno and White will perform on Weilnesday night next, from 4YA. Strings And Voice MEMBER of a highly-musical family -she is a daughter of Mr. R. J. Estall; conductor of the Woolston Band -Miss Nancy Estall, ’cellist, will be accompanied by the harpist, Mr. H. G. Glaysher, in g recital trom 3YA on May 8. The same evening Mr. Ernest Jenner, pianist, Miss Vera Martin, contralto, and Miss Gladys Vincent, violinist, will be heard in recitals of wellchosen works, Play Night TUDIO play and a recorded play will comprise 4YA’s "play night" next week, At 9.5 on Monday night, Audrey B. King’s ‘Under the Stairs" will be presented, the production being by Kathleen Falconer. Having realised the futility of making any sort of prognostications regarding studio plays, we will leave the announcement at that. The recorded play will be "Secret of Turkey," one of the Mystery Club dramas, produced by George Hdwards, Without Horrors N the children’s hour the other night from 3YA. came a very finely-told narrative of Gallipoli, and a story of the humane "Johnny the Turk," by Mr. D. W. Russell, prominent Christchurch lawyer. Then the Rev. O. W. Williams, Chaplain of Christ’s College, took his smal listeners to France during war-time, following up the Anzac activities. Both talks were graphic and illuminating, and entirely devoid of the sordidness of war. They brought home to the children tue virtue of courage and the need for peace among the nations, The Farmer [TPRESSIONS of the recent Empire Producers’ Conference in Sydney will be given by the Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr. A. P. O’Shea, in a talk from 2YA-on May 12. Mr. O’Shea was one

of the official delegation from New Zealand, and should have much to say of interest:to farmers. He gave a wellliked talk on wool some-months ago from 2YA, and may be expected again to-speak in lively fashion, Baby Talk ‘THERE is no need to say how well the Plunket..Society hag lived up its motto, "To help the mothers, and

save the babies." There is no neetl here to go into eulogies concerning the humanitarian work of this great society. Every so often, however, the Plunket Society has to appeal to the publie for support, and that support is freely given. On Monday next, Mrs. James Begg, Dominion president of the Plunket Society, will speak from 4YA at 7.25 p.m., and she will talk of the 1938 "Plunket Society Appeal." Cooling ‘AFTER a surfeit of swing, high-pres-sure work:and medern-day adaptations of old themes, one welcomes the dignity of an interval of chamber music. From 3YA on May 9, the Chamber Music Players will be heard in Sonata in E Plat Major for Fiute and Piano (Bach),-and Mozart’s Piano Quintet in G Minor. These interludes, in an ether seething with the sophisticated musical efforts of many nations, are often as welcome as a cool and soothing hand on an all-too-fevered brow.

Dressing-Room Chat FTER interviewing Lofty Blomfield before the microphone the other night, 3ZB’s bright young men, "Mac" and "Chiv" repaired to the theatre where Blomfield and Tonti were to argue on the mat. Later, in Tonti’s dressing room, "Chiy" put a few questions, all of which were answered to the satisfaction of listeners. , Singing Cowboy pat FRALEY, latest wrestler to be imported to New Zeala,nd, delighted juvenile lisfeners last Thursday night, when he was featured on the children’s hour at 1ZB. Pat, who is known as the "Singing Cowboy." is both a genuine cow-puncher and a fine singer, To the accompaniment of his guitar he delighted the kiddies with his cowboy songs, and in an interview with "The Shepherd’ he told them how he started life as a cowboy, and all about rattlesnakes and rodeos in which he had taken part. Starting life as a

cowboy, Pat later wrestled as an amateur for five years before he entered the professional ring. He is also a wellknown radio star in Hollywood, For Thames ‘AS soon as 1ZB’s new and more powerful transmitter comes on the air, a special Thames half-hour will be presented from the station. It is hoped that the first Thames session will be opened by the Hon. A. Burns, M.L.©., on May 12 at 2 p.m, when the first regional programme will probably be given. The station has _ established various sources for obtaining news about Thames, and this will be given, together with entertainment. The Otahuhu and Pukekohe half-hours have been most successful, and it is only a matter of time now when 1ZB will cater for all the main towns in the Auckland province in the same way. 1ZB’s New Voice "PESTS carried out by the new 1ZB transmitter have been eminently succesful, and listeners will soon hear the station speaking in a much clearer and louder voice than formerly, It is too early yet to say when regular programmes will be broadcast, but it will not be long now. For the opening ceremony & special programme is being arranged. Waiata Party HXT week the Waiata Maori concert party returns to Auckland after a lengthy and _ successfu} tour abroad. A civie reception is to be tendered the party, who recently performed before the King and Queen at a command performance which concluded a tour of the English provinces. The proceedings are to be broadcast on felay hy 1ZB from the Town Hall. [It

will be remembered that a few months ago 1ZB rebroadcast a complete concert given by the troupe in Bristol, which was carried out by the Daventry station, Continental IDE experience of grand opera in various parts of the world and a vast knowledge of the folk lore and music of the nations gives Paul Nicis an entry into the ranks of radio artists. He will be heard from 38ZB during the next few weeks in numbers of a cosmopolitan nature.

Shopping Items \ EEK-END guide to housewives now heard from 2ZB Fridays, 10.30 a.m., has been found to be useful, Listeners are advised of retail prices of fruit, vegetables and other market produce associated with week-end shopping. Capable (GATHERING more and more fans into the Maori musical fold is Otene Paora (Lou Paul), announcer and entertainer, who has hegun a series of Maori and Hawaiian programmes at 3ZB. He has just returned from 2GR, ‘Sydney, where he made himself well liked, Paora can sing practically anything put before him. An electric guitar is part of his equipment. Other Things of UST in case listeners should get the idea, from reading these paragraphs, that Dr. T. Vernon Griffitus does nothing else apart from giving commentaries during the presentation of "Masterpieces of Music" from 4¥A4

on alternate Thursday nights, let it be said here and now that Dr. Griffiths is the Superintendent of Music at the King Edward Technical College, Duuedin. In addition, the doctor regularly plays the big organ in St. . Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday. Dr. Griffiths will conduct the Masterpieces session next Thursday, his principal topic being Chopin’s Concerto No. 1 in H Minor. Triumph ona LEYDON, holder of the New Zealand women’s 400yds. and 880 yds. swimming records, was the only New Zealand swimmer to obtain a place at the recent Empire Games, Sydney, being placed third in the 400 yds. women’s event. Miss Leydon's achievements are all the more remarkable because of a limb crippled in childhood through infantile paralysis. Her accomplishments have not been easily gained. Miss Leydon spoke, and’ very nicely, too, of some of these things from 4ZB last Wednesday night, following a relay of an event in which she appeared in a swimming carnival in the Dunedin Municipal Baths, On Sundays O make Sunday evening programmes complete, station 1Z4B invited ideas from the announcing staff. Guy Nixon and Des. Lock-youngest announcersrose to the occasion. Nowadays, Guy presents his "Pathways" at 10.30, and Des. lulls listeners to rest with ‘Songs of the Sandman" at 11.45. The programmes are written, organised and presented, by these two, Unusual (CONTINUAL quests for new ways of making programmes interesting lead to novel presentations-witneas "The Questionable Programme," to which 1ZB listeners danced on a recent evening. To prepare: take a number of recordings whose titles are questions; find a record title which will he a suitable answer to each question: couple together and serve hot. Some of the results were amusing, At The Keyboard "WITH Dorothea Ryan (‘Thea’) at the keyboard," is a weleome phrase in 1ZB’s announcement of organ relays from the Auckland Civie Theatre. Thea, whose organ recitals from the Regent were so widely appreciated last winter, broadcasts now with, the mighty Civic Wurlitzer on Sundays at 4.15, and on Mondays at 6.80 p.m. Requests-such good evidence of popu-larity-are keeping her well supplied with ideas. 1ZB and Anzac ESPONSE, with a eapital "R," met 1ZB’s Anzac night Diggers’ hour. Copy supervisor Baird wrote it, staffdiggers took part, and the public certainly sat home «and _ listened. It brought a bigger mail than most re-« cent broadecasts-a, mail that was inte?esting in the contents of its letters as well as in their numbers. The letters revealed a depth of thought and convietion in regard to Anzac that was refreshing to those who read them. They

also showed that Anzac Day will be kept for many years to come, Amateurs AST Saturday there wag another large attendance of inierested public for the amateur trials, clambering over the furniture at 3ZB to enjoy the session. ‘The programme was quite a high standard, the winners being "Tramway Quartet." They could sing! An interested listener rang up and presented a casa of apples in appreciation of the quartet’s efforts. Entries are still coming in well, and there is every indication that half of Christ; ehureh tuned-in at 9 o’clock on Saturday to enjoy the fun of the programine. Dramatising TATION 8ZB has been going in for dramatising on a wholesale scale lately, and it is a move to be commened. For instance, its relay of the Anzac parade in Christchurch found the announcer au fait with the exploits of each division as it passed over the famous Bridge of Remembrance, A commemoration session in the studio, too, dealing with Anzac, with the Tuahiwi Maori Choir, Grace Torkington and Robert Allison assisting, was impressive. This station did a lot towards helping the sale of the red poppy, for it staged a special session, dramatising ghost armies evacuating Gallipoli, and. taking another side of the Great War, referring to the famous Menin Gate The whole of the session was carried out reverently. Radiating Plays TATION 4ZB’s radio reporter has eertainly been around. The relays broadeast last week testified to his news instinct. Listeners were taken inside one of the oldest-established cordial factories in Otago, and to hear Lofty Blomfield feted at a dinner at the Excelsior Hotel. A visit to the R.S.A. rooms, where the Poppy Day collection Was being counted, made an interesting

diversion, while Anzac features included the relay of the dawn ceremony from Sydney, the changing of the guard, from the Kensington Drill Hall, Dunedin, the afternoon service from the Cenotaph, and the A.J... re-union at the R.S.A. rooms in the evening altogether a distinctly commendabie tonr for 4ZB’s radio reporter.

Town Gossip NEWEST town to come on the alr through Wellington’s 2ZB ig Palmerston North, which has a special session to itself daily at 2.30 p.m. Times for other new provincial hours are, Feilding: 1 pm, Wednesdays; Marton: 4 p.m, Fridays; Blenheim: 4

p.m. Wednesdays; Hawera: 4 p.m Tuesdays; Tower Hutt: 1.30 p.m. Thursdays; Masterton: 4+ p.m. Thuradays, lts Bee WHAT is the new bee in the bonnet of 3ZB? Listeners to the station have been wondering about this trailer. It turns out to be a spelling hee. Every Thursday night at 8.45 o’clock, competitors who think they know how to spell the "very simplest words," parade their erudition in a knock-out competition. "Professor" Jack Maybury and . "Dr." Ken Waterhouse have the matter in hand, and there’s a prize for the winner. On The Job "NEWS hounds" from 8ZB were quick on the job the other day, when they learned that the Pioneer Sports Club was holding a camp-fire stunt at Duvauchelles Bay, near Akaroa. Executives made for the spot, with a few artists aboard, and turned on one of the brightest half-hour programmes heard for a long time. ’ At The BBC PVELIL-KNOWN writer, Miss Elsie Morton, has heen tripping about a good deal since she covered the coronation for her paper. After spending some months in England she visited the Continent. In a letter to an Anckland friend Miss Morton, who has broadcast many times from 1YA, descrihes an interesting trip she recently made to the Holy Land and Turkey, where she visited the mosque and other famous scenes of early days and history. Two other members of the same tourist party were Dean Inge and IJ. V. Morton, both of whom Miss Morton met a great deal. While in Tondon Miss Morton gave two talks from the BRC studios, one on Waitomo Cayes, and the other ahout Wairekei The former was printed in full by "The Listener," P.W.D. Series HE first of a series of programmes for men in Publie Works camps thoughout the Dominion hegan yesterday at 2ZB, and will he eontinned on Monday evenings at 6.45 p.m, Programmes are conducted by Mr. J. Ingley, a former P.W.D. official, with a special knowledge of his subject. Racing Hl extension of the racing earniyal in Christehureh, through wet weather and the presente of the Australian horses, eaused tremendous interest hoth on and off fhe course, Station 8YA, as usual, presented armchair racing enthusiasts with up-to-date news of the various eyents. Announcer Frank Jarrett, although suffering from a severe cold, performed the deseriptive part of the broadeasting side of the sport in excellent style. To Talk Pwo people who have delved at varions times deeply into the background of New Zealand’s history are to

be heard in talks from 8YA in the next few days. On May 9, Mona Tracy will chat about "Rain on the Greenstone," a West Coast sketch, and on the following evening HW, L. Kehoe will Jet listeners into secrets Concerning Westland before the advent of the white man. May 12 will find Leicester

Webb elucidating problems in world affairs, and on the fatal day, "Friday. May 13" there will be angther talk by Leon Gotz in his series. "Leaves from a Planter’s Notebook." Masquerading. ABOUT three weeks ago 4YA put over a reeorded version of rhe Masked Masqueraders in their halfhour of song and jest-a feature liked in Wellington. The 4YA presentation was well received, but subsequent silence regarding .the Masqueraders has PALE

wOPVOETUGDUDTUAEUDETAREDRURSESECTEDERUERERECUADEATTILSVEDENTOUSUEGEIEE caused some comment, as it had been anticipated that the feature would indeed become qa feature for a_ period. Listeners will doubtless be glad to learn that the Masqueraders will be "at bome" for some weeks to come at 4YA, every Wednesday night, beginning next Wednesday at 9.5, Increased Business FREPoRT of the eighty-ninth annual meeting of the A.M.P. Society, to be held at Sydney on May 6, states that the new business completed in the ordinary department, including re-assur-ances of £326,331, comprised 62,652 policies, assuring £24,176,655, and 171 annuities for £44,507/16/7 per annum, In the industrial department 123,928 new policies were issued, assuring £7,551,044/15/-. These sums assured represent an increase over the corresponding sums assured for 1936, of £2,300,631 in the ordinary department, and of £1,447,648/13/- in the industrial department, Play Readings , omhipeenaeeeed R»2PLRTORY societies are informed that the position regarding ‘readings of French's plays is, and always has heen, that genuine ‘"readings’{.e., without properties or scenery-

where no direct or indirect charge is made for admission, are free up to 50 of an audience, which may consist of members and guests, and above that number a charge of 7/6 and £1/1/- is payable for one-act and three-act plays respectively. Performances other than readings, are free up to 25 on similar terms.