MUSIC AND DRAMA

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21244, 16 August 1934, Page 8

MUSIC AND DRAMA

Saturday—Christchurch Male Voice Choir's second concert, at Choral Hall. August 30 and September I—Christchurch Harmonic Society's concert, at Radiant Hall. September 12 —Christchurch Orchestral Society's Concert, at the Radiant Hall. Mr Hamilton Dixon, formerly of Christchurch, and an accomplished 'cellist, has acquired the practice of Mr George Ellwoocl in Wellington. Remarkable success has again been achieved by Philip Hargrave, the boy pianist, who, the legal position regarding his guardianship having been settled, has begun another tour, which J. and N. Tail are directing. Each of his concerts at the Town Hall, Adelaide, has drawn crowded audiences. A visit to Perth will be followed by a season in Melbourne, where Hargrave has already won a notable triumph. He will come later to New Zealand. • * « Miss Crete Jespersen, formerly of Palmerston North, has become well known in musical circles on the Continent as a 'cellist. Miss Jespersen, •who is now 17 years of age, began studying the 'cello in Palmerston North at the early age of five years, and, making very rapid progress, soon ap-" peared as a soloist in many parts of New Zealand, and was also for a long period a contributor to the 2YA programmes. Typical of the odd stories of tne stage and the careers of her leading actors is the career of Herbert Mar-j :;i!all, the English actor now under I Paramount contract, who won his tir.t j important role through his lack of ex- j perience. Marshall started out in life as an accountant's clerk, but transferred his talents to the business side of the theatre after a shoi I. lime. Ikchanged to the acting sphere of tlv> theatre when his employer wanted one of the troupe to play a small role. But his big "break" came when Cyril Maude sought him for the role of Ernest Heron' in "Grumpy," which Maude was about to manage on a tour of the United States and Canada. Because the part was that of a nervous man, which Marshall n : o-,t tvriain'y was during his try-out, Maude hired I him for the role.