GRAND PAGEANT

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 6

GRAND PAGEANT

FOR HBPIRE EXHIBITION. DISTINGUISHED MEN ENGAGED. Beater'* Telegram. (Received March 20, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. In the House of Commons, in moving the estimate of £IIB,OOO sterling - for expenditure on the Empire Exhibition, Mr. Wm. Dunn, Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Trade, stated that it was definitely decided that the King would open the exhibition on Saint George’s Day, April 23rd. . TVith a view to capturing the imagination of visitors the Government was embarking on a novel scheme and or ganising a unique pageant by British artists, and had secured the services of Louis Parker, Sir. F. Henson, and H. Granville-Barkt-r. Rudyard Kipling will be responsible for most oftho libretto, and Sir Edward Elgar will compose the music. After a debate including some severe criticism by Ben Tillett, Salford North (Lab.) the House agreed to the vote. Mr Louis N. Parker is a famous dramatist, composer and producer, having directed the production of many plays and pageants. Mr Harley Granville-Barker, actor-dramatist, is author of numerous plays and a pro ducer of accredited.brilliance. Sir Edward Elgar is one of the best known and most respected of modern English composers, and has written many orchestral works and three oratorios.