Just right for children

Press, 15 June 1983, Page 10

Just right for children

By

ALLAN FRANCIS

GRAMPA’S PLACE. Stories -from the award-winning radio programme, written by Ruth Corrin and presented by Desmond Kelly and Rochelle Vinsen. KIWI PACIFIC RECORDS SLC 176. Producing delightful series such as “Grampa’s Place,” in the style of Ruth Corrin, certainly isn’t kids’ stuff. It is no use talking down to the younger generation or fobbing them off with the outdated Enid Blyton from the 60s; mind you, that lady was destined to be no more than a seven-day

wonder at best. Beatrice Potter was another matter. Walter De La Mare’s poems for children' were eminently suitable for adults and even with the noble services of Norman Shelley, those wonderful words went straight over children’s heads. Ruth Corrin’s stories are just right. Two days in the lives of Grampa and Rochelle will be sheer delight to children and adults alike. They are credible and likeable characters, full of fun, as witness the day of Makebelieve. Three old tunes are neatly dovetailed into this one, “Lavender Blue,” “Old King Cole” and the redoubt-

able character, “Humpty Dumpty.” Desmond Kelly is superb in character roles and I doubt that a better Grampa could be found anywhere. He would be my ideal Grampa and I fondly hope that I will follow in his footsteps.

Rochelle Vinsen has the personality and the voice for the mischievous visitor, nudging Grampa back to reality at every turn. I liked the Birds but I liked Makebelieve more. You can be anything you wish, she says, and that irresistable notion slips into song. It’s very compelling.