Play-Writing Contests

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 10

Play-Writing Contests

The New Zealand branch of the British Drama League is associated with two playwriting competitions this year. With the Thespians, of Wellington, it is sponsoring a full-length play-writing competition which will be judged by Mr J. C. Trewin, of London. The first prize is £5O, the second £2O, the third £lO and there are four merit prizes of £5. Entries close on October 31.

Tire one-act play-writing competition is divided into three sections: open, allwomen and religious, the last sponsored by the National Council of Churches. The plays should be constructed with a performance at a British Drama League Festival in mind. The first prize for each section is £lO. the second £5 and the third £2 10s.

Hugh Maguire (above) will take over as leader of the 8.8. C. Symphony Orchestra on September 20, on the retirement of Paul Beard, who has held the post for more than 25 years. Hugh Maguire has been leader of the London Symphony Orchestra sawe 1956, and over the last 10 years has established himself as a leader of distinction Born in Dublin, he was a pupil of Enesco, and led the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra from 1952 to 1956. when he joined the BBC. Symphony Orchestra as subleader for a time before taking up the post of leader. of the London Symphony, oldest of the London orchestras

The 8.8. C. Symphony Orchestra, the chief of the 8.8.C.'s 13 permanent orchestras. w-as formed in 1930 and today has a more varied repertoire than any other orchestra in the world. In

addition to giving an average of four concerts a week from tihe BJ3.C. Mud.os, it makes many public appearances—notably during the annual Promenade Concert season and the 8.8. C. Winter Svmpheny Concert season—and has made a number of tours abroad In its time the B B C. Symphony Orchestra has piayed under most of the world’s great conductors. Its own oermanent chief conductors have been, in turn. Sir Adrian Boult, Sir Malcolm Sargent, and Mr Rudolf Schwarz But when Mr Schwarz relinquishes the post in July for free-lance work. the BBC is not appointing a new chief conductor. Instead for the 1062-63 season there will be a team of conductors, including Colin Davis, Dean Dixon. Antal Dorati, Mictuel Gielon. Rudolf Kempe. J»i Krenz. Lorin Maazel. Normeei | Del Mar. Igor Markevitch. |jeam Martlnon, Sir Malcolm I Sargent, and Mr Schwarz,