PLAY ALTERED BY B.B.C.

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 10

PLAY ALTERED BY B.B.C.

Propaganda “In Small Print” Au admission is made b.v tlie 8.8. C. (hat Madame Kalkowska’s play “In Small Print” was not broadcast as originally written because it dealt with propaganda against unemployment. The admission was contained in. a letter to the author, who complained of changes made in her play, from the Drama Department at Broadcasting House.

The letter says; "We consider that in conversations and correspondence it was made clear by Mr. Gielgud that we were only able to use one of Urn original sections of your play in a more or less exact translation and that all idea of propaganda against unemployment must be deleted as being unacceptable lb our listeners.” There was a further development recently, when Mme. Kalkowska sent another letter to the 8.8. C. in which she said:

“I am sorry not to be able to agree with you on any point. “No word was ever said to me, either in conversation or by letter, that all idea of propaganda against unemployment must be deleted as being Unacceptable to listeners. If I bad been told that I should have withdrawn my play at once. “I entirely disagree with you that the circumstances did not warrant a withdrawal of last night’s broadcast of 'ln Small Print’ and I am by no means satisfied with your explanation.” When it was suggested to the 8.8. C. that the unemployment issue was removed from the play owing to a desire not to embarrass the Government during the General Elecliou period, au official said:

“The play was in our drama schedule for several mouths, and the final broadcast version was complete on October 7.” At Broadcasting House they consider that after the exchange of letters the matter is closed.