PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

Radio Record, 19 August 1938, Page 16

PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

ABLED news of the death of M. Constantin Stanislavsky, founder of the Moscow Art Theatre, may not at first seem of much interest to New Zealand radio listeners. Nevertheless, it was through a member of Stanislavsky’s company that we are able to hear the recorded art of the incomparable Chauve Souris, Company. The late M. Nitka Balieff, producer and ¢comjpere of the company, used to devise a cabaret entertainment once every year for the amusement of Stanislavsky’s company and their friends. The same Chauve Souris entertains us to this day. M. Stanislavsky from his early manhood devoted ali his thought, time and his material wealth to the study of dramatic art. He began in the barn of his father’s house, progressed to having his own theatre and company. Ultimately, ke stormed not barns, but world theatres.

AUSTRALIAN ON CRICKET OVERS

The great Australian cricket veteran, W. A. Oldfiela. raneantiv nit his

views on an eight-ball over before the Advisory County Cricket Committee ai Lords. Said Oldfield: "I have had considerable experience over several years of the eight-ball over in Australia, and am definitely in favour of its re- | tention and its adoption in English cricket. Not only has it proved the means of saving considermble time between overs, but I consider it has been of material assistance, particularly ‘to

the medium-pace and spin bowlers, ix the development of their plans, made possible by reason of the longer overs. To such types of bowlers, possessing as

they do a variety of deliveries, these two extra balls are of importance, as they may be instrumental in bringing about the downfall of a batsman for which their early deliveries have.paved the way. On the other hand it is claimed tha't the longer over entails too much strain on the fast bowler, but I have seen no evidence of this." During the coming fifth and final cricket Test, listeners will hear W. A. Oldfield’s commentary on each day’s play through the NBS stations, First commentary will be broadcast on Sunday, Augusi 21, at 9.10 a.m. _

PROFESSOR AND THE LEAGUE

Training as au his-. torian is but one of the qualifications of Professor FB. lL. W.

Wood, for his talks on world affairs from 2YA, ‘The professor is a native of Sydney, where he was educated first at the Grammar School, then at the university. He next went to Eugland to study at Baiiol College, Oxford, where he became acting-lecturer in his-' tory. His appointments before coming to Victoria College University as lecturer in history in 1935, included a period as sixth form master at the famous Repton School, and, on his réturn to Australia, lecturer in history at Sydney University from 1980 to 1934. On a trip.to England last- year, Pro-.. fessor Wood for. a short period was temporary .collaborator on the Secretariat of the League of Nations: at Geneva. He saw something.of Europe, visiting Paris, Berlin, and Brussels, . 2VA listeners will hear a talk from Professor F. L. W. Wood on "The League of Nations at Work," on Mon-. day, August 22. ,

NIGHT GALLOP TO . INDEPENDENCE

Hyver since Loug: fellow published his’ "Tales of a Wayside Inn" in 1868,- such

stories have been widely popular, particularly ins the old days at "penny readings" and similar entertainments The story of Paul Revere (1725-1818) was among the favourites of its kind. Born at Boston, Mass, Revere was originally a silversmith but became a soldier and qa protagonist of American indepen. dence. He took a leading part in the destruction of tea in Boston Harbour, December 16. 1778. and is memorable

for his exploit of April, 1775, when he rode out by night to give warning of the advance of the British troops on Concord. This ride made him a national hero-the ensuing skirmish marked the

Russian Cellist Speaks English

(F-REGOR PIATIGORSKI, Russian ’cellist, has but little English and occasionally is tricked into quaint versions of the tongue. About six years ago he played at a President’s Reception in Washington, and a friend drilled him beforehand in hig response to the official speech of thanks for his performance. Said the friend: "All you need to do is to say: ‘Mr. President, and ladies and gentlemen, I am truly delighted,’ and then sit down." What the ’cellist actually said was: "Mr, President,’ and ladies and gentlemen, I am truly delightful." 3YA listeners will hear Gregor Piatigorsky, ’cellist, on Sunday afternoon, August 21.

beginning of the War of Independence. A play by Edmund Barclay, "Paul Revere’s Ride," will be presented at 4VYA on Monday, August 22, by J. M. Clark and Players.

JOHN BUNYAN AND HIS FATAL RIDE

In this month 250 years ago, John Bunyan rode through a storm to

y plead with a father on behalf of a prodigal son. He was successful in his mission, but the rough ride gave him a chill and he died at Snow Hill, Lon--don, on August 31,1688. Bunyan’s literary masterpiece, "Pilgrim’s Progess," was printed in all its early editions in the cheapest style. It was, in Macaulay’s words, "meant for the cottage and the servants’ hall... . It is, perhaps, the only book about which, after a lapse of 100 years, the educated minority has come over to the opinion of the common peopie," In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the death of John Bunyan, a reading from "Pilgrim’s Progress" will be given by Professor T. D. Adams at 4YA on Friday, August 26.

ADVENTURES IN ARTISTRY

Apparently the spirit of adventure ts still very much alive in the West of

England, if we can judge by Perey Heming, F.R.A.M., baritone, native of Bristol. He welcomes experience with open arms-of whatever kind it may be. Since the war he has sung on the music halls, at Covent Garden under Sir Thomas Beecham, as Schober in "Lilac Time," and with Leslie Henson’s "Primrose’ Company. He toured the United States and Canada for two seasons with the "Beggar’s Opera" Company. He toured South Africa and adjudicated at Nairobi, All his life he has studied with unusual thoroughness. His last teachers were Sir George Henschel and Sir George’s Sister in Dresden, Frau Professor Grosse. AYA listeners will hear Percy Heming, baritone, on Sunday afternoon, August 21.

SHE IS HAPPY IN BACH OR IN REVUE

Hsther Coleman studied the piano at an early age, then became en-

grossed in the organ, eventually decided her real forte was her voice. She made a successful debut at Wigmore Hall, the home of smaller classical concerts in London, but she believed something different was needed to establish a. name. So for a year she sang unaccompanied songs all over the country. In her hundreds of BBC recitals she was sometimes featured in a programme of Bach, and at others in revue. She has established an independent reputation as a singer of popular songs under the name of Diana Clare. 8YA listeners will hear Esther Coleman, contralto, on Sunday afternoon, August 21.

CONSTANDUROS OF THE BUGGINSES

Petite and versatile entertainer, Mabel Constan~ duros, of the Bug-

ginses, has recently published ker first novel, "Poison Flower," a comedy with social complications. She is one of the four daughters. of Richard Tilling, J.P., managing director of a famous transport firm; and lived nearly all her life, before her marriage, on Sydenham Hill. Miss Constanduros has a charming and well-trained singing voice; her ‘natural speaking voice, when she is

not impersonating "Mrs. Buggins," "Gramma," ‘Hmma," "Aggie," or any other of her Cockney characters, is also delightful-soft, low and musical. Mabel Constanduros, comedienne, will be heard in 1¥A’s music, mirth, and melody session on Monday, August 22, .

JOE CORRIE ON BOBBIE BURNS

Jue Corrie. the author-actor, was -onee a miner. To his pen we owe

over forty one-act. plays, seven fulllength plays, three books of verse, and innumerable short stories. Now he has: brought Robert Burns to the microphone in a play which takes in the years 1784 to 1787, perhaps the most important in the poet’s life. Some of Corrie’s short stories have been published in Russian and Yiddish. His one-act plays are frequently broadcast by French players from Radio-Paris, and one of his full-length mining plays had a short run at Leipzig. Violet and Joe Corrie will be heard in a humorous sketch in 2YA’s music, mirth and melody session on Tuesday, August 23,

DANCE BAND ONE ORGAN

Reginald Dixon's position as organisi at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, is

unique in that his is the only unit or gan in the country that is regularly used not only as a recital instrumen!. put to provide music for dancing anc relieving the orchestra, Why the idea has not spread beyond Blackpool many be that organists of ‘the Dixoii order are too few-it takes no mean orgiiixt to supplant a full dance orchestra stile cessfully... Away from the coleoir. Dixon finds relaxation in photograp:) and golf. 8YA listeners will hear Reginald Dixon, organist, on Saturday, August whe

WHO WAS FIRST $IR ROGER DE COVERLEY?

The hypothetie:l baronet of Addison’s "Spectator." Sir Roger de Cover-

ley, was supposed to live at Cowley. or Coverley, near Oxford (now famous for its motor-car works). Allegedly, the original of this famous character was Sir John Pakington, fourth baronet, Tory politician, who was first identified with Addison’s creation in 1788. There was, however, very little resemblanee beyond the fact that both were baronets. Pakington was only 39 when the "Spectator" first appeared in 1711: Sir Roger was 55. Pakington had, beeu twice married; Sir Roger was a bache- _ lor. Pakington was an energetic politician; Sir Roger visited London only occasionally. Addison tells us Sir Roger’s great-grandfather invented the famous country dance named after him. At 3YA on Tuesday, August 23, the New Mayfair Orchestra will play "Sir Roger de Coverley" (Daykins).

A- MASTER OF MASTERS

Leading ’cellists of the day owe much to Julius Klengel. German ’cellist-vir-

tuoso and teacher, who, until his death in November, 1933, was engaged. at Leipzig Conservatoire. Among the pupils of this master of the masters was Guilhermina Suggia. Of the compositions for ’cello, chamber music and orchestra the maestro composed, we in New Zealand know very little, but we have a few choice specimens of his recorded art in the NBS library. 4VA listeners to the dinner musir session on Thursday, August 25, will hear Julius Klengel, ‘cellist.

BEST QUARTET 1 THE WORLD

Asked to name the two quartets which. more than any others, have contri-

buted to the modern revival of interest sn chamber music, one would unhesitatingly pick out the Lener and the Flonzaley. The Flonzaley, alas, is (lisbanded. At itg institution, the four players vowed never to appear as soloists nor to have any truck with: performances other than those of the Flonzaley Quartet itself. After nearly a quarter of a century the vow had te be forsworn,. and one of the finest groups of string players ever banded together ceased to exist. Its existence was made possible in this utilitarian world by the patronage of Edouard de Coppet, of New York. Listeners to 1YA will hear the Flonzaley String Quartet on Wednesday, August 24, in the sonata hour.

A Peter Dawson Of Germany

NAME often seen in broadcast programmes is that of Heinrich Schlusnus, one of the most versatile of baritones. Not only is he a permanent member of the Berlin State Opera, but he is internationally regarded as an. unrivalled lieder singer. He is a kind of German Peter Dawson, and any Schlusnus re corded item is an example of finished artistry and rich vocal quality. By the way, practically all Schlusnus’s songs from Italian and French opera are sung in German, presumably in the first place for German consumption. English singers who use English translations of Italian opera songs for English consumption are scorned by many critics-by Schlusnus never. Can musical snobbery account for this? 4VA listeners will hear Heinrich Schlusnus on Friday, August 26.