"VICTORIANA NO. 3" A WINNER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22337, 26 February 1938, Page 10

"VICTORIANA NO. 3" A WINNER

TBy LISTENER.]

''Well, what I like about it is the way it teaches us poor ignorant chaps history." That was one of the comments ma'de by a member of a group which heard the broadcast of "Victoriana No. 3" from 2YA on Sunday evening. Perhaps, though, one should not speak of 2YA at all in these days. It is described by its announcers now as "The Dominion station of the National Broadcasting Service." It seems to have been promoted; but there is nothing I specially appropriate in the. title, as 1 2YA happens to be the most diffi--1 cult national station to receive in the South Island. However, it does not really matter where the broadcast came from, for "Victoriana No. 3" was quite as good as its predecessors. In fact, I think it was just a little better than the second instalment. No. 2 did not have quite the same gripping quality as the first; but the latest, which was subtitled "The Hungry Forties," can take its place as one of the two most distinguished productions of the National Broadcasting Service. The only imperfection apparent to me was a slight blurring in the dialogue between Victoria and Albert when they were left alone for the first time after their marriage. Albert had to speak gutturally to be in character; but some of the young bride's conversation escaped me. This may have been due to a fault 'in the recording, or it may have been caused by an imperfection in my set. If the recording is to blame, it should be remade because "Victoriana" is too good to be marred by trifling blemishes.

This new instalment of one of the most ambitious productions undertaken in British broadcasting scores as its predecessors did by the continuous introduction of relevant detail to build up a convincing background. These touches gave life to history. The truth is that "Victoriana" instructs and entertains at the same time. History is worth knowing something about; but all except the learned ones have vague and confused ideas concerning the Chartists, the Corn Laws, and a number of other things which are made intelligible in the mosaic of "Victoriana." Special mention must be made of the first-rate sketches giving such animation and plausibility to the production. There was the duelling interlude between wicked Sir Mulberry and good Lord Frederick. There was the scene in the bookshop, where Fanny Kemble recited Hood's "Song of the Shirt" from "Punch," where it first appeared; and then there was the sad little drama which began with the society woman making preparation for her fortnightly bath and ended with the sweep's boy being suffocated in a chimney. Thomas and Matthew, the men-in-the-street. played their part again as commentators and gave continuity to the p/ogress of events. It would be possible to pick out much from the amazing assortment of matter presented; but the best thing to do is to say that there was not a solitary falsity in the whole production. ''Victoriana No. 3" is an achievement about which the National BroadcastL.g Service can be rather self-satis-fied. The mixture of radio, drama, and history was perfectly arranged "Whirligig" Talks The thought is alarming, but next week the "winter session" of lectures will begin at 3YA and 4YA. However, the National Broadcasting Service does not control the seasons; there is probably some good bathing weather still to come. In any case, the lectures have to begin some time. Last year, it will be remembered, the national stations considered "This Changing World" from many standpoints; and this year an elaborate schedule of similar informative lectures has been prepared. The general title of the series is "The Whirligig of Time," and the object is best explained, by the National Broadcasting Service Talks Department. The idea of the lectures, which will be given from the four chief national stations, is to illustrate the changes time brings in the various activities and ideals of mankind. The aim of the lectures is to illustrate these changes in ideas, pclicies, and habits. The questions to be dealt with range from political revolution to changes in manners and dress. Each station is being allotted a certain part in the series. "The Whirligig of Time" theme will be illustrated at 3YA by studies of great men throughout history. 2YA (Pardon! —The Dominion station of the National Broadcasting Service") will take up the sub-theme of revolutions. The first lectures there will be upon political upheavals from ancient times to the present day. After that, revolutions in manners and morals will be considered. Auckland and Dunedin will start with a consideration of the position of women in history. Then IYA will branch off on to talks about changes in the home and amusements. In Dunedin they will, in this second stage, discuss the history of war and systems of government. The lectures will be, given at 7.30 each evening, the roster being as follows: IYA, Thursday; 2YA (I won't apologise again), Monday; 3YA, Wednesday; 4YA, Tuesday. The first "Whirligig" talk will be heard from Dunedin next Tuesday when Miss M. I. Turnbull will speak on "Aspasia and the Women of Greece." Miss Turnbull will be followed on Wednesday at 3YA by Mr G. T. J. Wilson, whose subject is "The Place of Personality in History." The least to be said is that this talks schedule is exceedingly ambitious, and its success will depend entirely upon the speakers chosen. One just doubts whether there are sufficient talkers in the Dominion to make the lectures lively. There are enough of the learned abroad in the land, but learning alone cannot hold a radio audience which is able to apply a courteously invisible closure whenever it chooses. Every prospective speaker should be warned against attempts to impart slabs of information available to the curious in encyclopaedias. In this series learn- , ing must be tricked out with ribbons in her hair., Otherwise, a lot I of useful radio time is going to be I wasted.

A Bright Dialogue

While on this subject of talks, mention should be made of the dis-

cussion between Dr. Jack Lovelock and Mr John Maude, broadcast from Daventry and rebroadcast by Wellington, on February 18. The dialogue was one in a series called "Cards on the Table," and in it the New Zealander and the Englishman considered various pieces of newspaper news from their differing national standpoints. It should be mentioned first that there was an easy informality in the dialogue, but at the same time each speaker was able to express his individual thoughts and flavour them with a touch of personality. Much of what Dr. Lovelock said about the insular outlook of the Dominion would be rather unpopular if he said it here, but distance saved him from angry critics. Mr Maude declared that New Zealand is so poorly advertised in England that he knew little about the country. Dr. Lovelock countered by saying that the Englishman was to blame for not possessing more knowledge. Mr Maude came back with the fair charge that many New Zealanders would not know whether Liverpool was north or south of Newcastle. The whole business was done entertainingly, but the serious aspect of the discussion was not overlooked. No doubt the National Broadcasting Service will arrange to give as many listeners as possible the opportunity of hearing further dialogues between Dr. Lovelock and Mr Maude.

A Radio Clash

It's beyond my power to explain, but I would like to know why it was that the book-reviewing session from 3YA on Tuesday evening was interrupted by another voice. While Mr Schroder was giving the masses the low-down on literature, somebody, shadowing him carefully, was detailing Wallace's excellences as a batsman. I had a hunt round the dial; but this sporting talk did not appear to be coming from any of the main national stations. However, it's only mentioned in passing. Centenary Relays Comprehensive arrangements have been made for the broadcast of the Roman Catholic centenary celebrations in *" Auckland. To-morrow morning the High Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral will be on the air, and in the evening the sermon of the Very Rev. Arthur Ryan, Professor of Philosophy at Queen's College, Belfast, will be broadcast. On Saturday, March 5, the scenic play, "Credo," in which hundreds of performers are taking part, will be heard from IYA. "The Rivals" and Others The coming week is a fairly promising one for plays, and special mention may be made of Sheridan's "The Rivals," which will be presented my Marjory Bassett and com-1 pany at 3YA to-morrow evening. "Off Finisterre," which will also be heard from 3YA next Thursday evening, is worth an hour of anybody's time. This play was written originally for the British Broadcasting Corporation. _