Science fiction thriller

Press, 10 May 1982, Page 22

Science fiction thriller

“The Chryalids," a compelling science fiction thriller, features on the radio National programme for the school holdidays over the next fortnight The story is read by John Wyndham. A terrible disaster — known only as the “tribulation” — has struck the Earth, and those who have survived have fallen prey to a fanatical puritanism. Society demands everyone must conform to a pattern, and any sort of deviation from the norm brings destruction to the afflicted. David, a 10-year-old boy, can communicate with a group of young friends by thought transference. Of course this deviation is of the worst possible kind. For a time he and his friends conceal the fact, but finally their secret is revealed. (National programme, 1.45 p.m. today). Devilish tale Tonight • on the National programme at 10.30 can be heard the first of 10 readings from Sir Arthur Conan

Doyle’s famous book, “The Sign of Four,” in which Sherlock Holmes investigates a devilish tale of treachery and murder. When Holmes is confronted with a beautiful young lady — .blonde, dainty, well gloved and dressed in most perfect taste — who comes to him for help he is not disposed to turn her away. “Holmes rubbed his hands, and his eyes glistened. He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear-cut, hawk-like features, and said: ‘Fray state your case’.” She does, and before you can say “Dr Watson” Holmes is involved in a most bizarre story that will test to the utmost his skill and perception. Holidays For the school holidays, beginning today, a special programme for young listeners will be broadcast at 9.05 a.m. on the radio Concert programme and from regional National programme stations. A special feature of the series is the opening of the Toa Rangatira Meeting House at Porirua on the Takapuahia Marae. Alicia Chambers interviews children and elders on the marae. She asks them about the carvings, the decorations and the ceremony and traditions surrounding the opening of this meeting house. As well in the holiday programmes there will be a story-writing competition centred on. sound effects. During the second week there will be broadcast a three-pa?t serial, “Valley of the Wallabies” by a New Zealand author, Graeme Lay. Peter Sellers Peter Harcourt has chosen a number of entertainers he considers to be outstanding among their contemporaries. This week his choice is, he says, one of a rare and precious few — actor and comedians Peter Sellers.

(National programme 8 p.m.). Escape Stan Barstow’s North Country hero, Vic Brown, in the second play of the trilogy being broadcast on the Concert programme (8.50 tonight). escapes from his dead-end job in Yorkshire to embark on a more promising career in the South. He leaves his wife behind till firm arrangements can be made and discovers he has also escaped from a dull, dead-end marriage.

New recording When the Australian composer, Anton Bruckner, heard “Tristan and Isolde” he became a fervent disciple of Wagner and,-though he himself wrote no operas his third symphony was nicknamed his “Wagner” symphony. The Bruckner Symphony No 3 in D minor, in its final version, can be heard from a Berlin Philharmonic recording with Herbert von Karajan conducting, on the Concert programme at 7.50 p.m. Jazz bands The “big band" sound can be heard in a new "Jazz Tonight” series starting at 9.15 .tonight, on the National programme. Seven leading big bands are drawn from the four, main centres to provide a variety of exciting sound. The series starts with the Rodger Fox Big Band of Wellington — and guest American trumpeter Bobby Shew. Two extended, tracks are featured: “Trumpet Star Medly,” a potted history of jazz trumpet styles, from Louis Armstrong to Miles Davis, and “Heavy Company,” a contemporary chart especially written for Bobby Shew by Jeff Sturges.

Listening