PLAYS ON THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 132, 1 December 1938, Page 32

PLAYS ON THE AIR

I The N.B.S. has been fortunate in securing the rights of two outstanding dramas by world-famous playwrights. These are John Masefield's "Philip the King," and Geroge Bernard Shaw's "The Dark Lady of Sonnets." Shaw's play, in which he pleads for the establishment of a national theatre in England, was recently produced by the 8.8.C. with the well-known film star Robert Donat in the role of Shakespeare, and Lena Ashwell as Queen Elizabeth. "Philip the King" was written by Masefield in 1914, when his literary greatness was already recognised. Today, John Masefield is generally regarded as one of the foremost: writers of our time, and the pro-1 duction of this fine poetic drama should give listeners considerable pleasure and entertainment. These plays will be broadcast shortly. TWO NEW ZEALAND PLAYS. "Endeavour," the play that won first prize in the 1937-38 Radio Play Competition conducted by the N. 8.5., has just been recorded in the Wellington studios, and listeners will soon have the opportunity of hearing this excellent New Zealand play. Dedicated by the authoress (Isobel Andrews, of Wellington) to the early settlers of New Zealand, this drama is the story of a New Zealand family, and tells in detail, all the struggles and vicissitudes of that family. It is a splendidly written play that strikes a note that is characteristic of all that belongs to -New Zealand. Listeners will follow with interest, this story from the year 1855, when the founders of the family, two hardy pioneers, rode in a bullock wagon over a rough track to their first home, until the day of the celebration of the hundredth year of New Zealand colonisation. The authoress has chosen a wide canvas as a background for her story, and the effects of the development of the country on the family is particularly well drawn. It is a drama that should awaken some feelings of national pride in listeners who recognise the worth of* the pioneers of this Dominion. "The Tartan of Rangi Ngatai" is the title of the second prize winner in the same competition and this also has just been recorded. Written by Merrick Horton, of Feilding, the play commemorates a little-known page in the history of New Zealand. It tells of the bravery and chivalry of Rawiri Puhirake and the Ngaiterangi tribe. Parts of the story are fictitious, but the historical characters have been drawn with full regard to the records of history and the play relates authentic events in the Gate Pa battle and the Tauranga War. The play is well constructed, and has an unexpected twist in the ending. The dialogue throughout is brisk, and the characterisation, particularly of the Maori characters, is excellent.