New Zealand radio play

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 19

New Zealand radio play

The New Zealand . writer, Philip Mincher, is best known for his short story series with outdoor and action settings. In “The Toy People” he moved for the first time to writing a play (Concert radio, 9.03 tonight). Austin Horrocks, the hero of “The Toy People,” graduated from art school with high ideals, but the only opening he found available was as designer in a toy factory. He is now reconciled to the fact that this is where he will be spending the rest of his working. life. At the factory he becomes increasingly appalled by the ruthless manoeuvring for power at executive level. Greatly upset by the suicide of a close friend, he decides to beat the others at their own game. Roy Hope produced "The Toy People” and Austin is played by Richard Moss. Jazz

For lovers of jazz, another series is under way featuring New Zealand’s best jazz talent. This follows “Singers of Renown” and features tonight (National, 9.15) the second of two programmes by Bart Stokes’ Tentette Plus One. Bart Stokes left New Zealand 21 years ago to make a name for himself in Europe as freelance composer, arranger and performer. His first love is tenor sax but he also plays flute, piccolo, trumpet, clarinet and bass. Overseas he worked with jazzmen such as Johnny Dankworth, Thad Jones and Humphrey Lyttelton, and singers like Nat King Cole; Eartha Kitt,

Rosemary Clooney, Liza Minelli and Shirley Bassey. Singers “Singers of Renown,” a repeat of Lindsay Perigo’s Sunday afternoon series, is being broadcast now on Monday nights (National, 8.00). Lindsay .Perigo shares his enthusiasm for the singing voice with radio listeners, in excerpts from opera, operetta, ballads and art songs performed by some of the finest singing voices in the world. All the music is chosen to demonstrate the artistry of the performer as well as for its own wide melodic appeal. Schola Musica The Schola Musica, the training ground for talented young musicians going on to the New Zealand Symphony, presents a concert direct from Symphony House on the Monday Concert Programme at 5.06 p.m. With the assistance of members of the New Zealand Symphony and under the direction of Ashley Heenan they present the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D and two Mozart works — the K. 129 Symphony No. 17 in G and the K. 207 Violin Concerto No. 1 in B flat. The soloists featured are two players from the ranks of the Schola Musica, violist Lyndsay Mountfort and violinist Dean Major.

Listening