British Music Society

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 September 1950, Page 9

British Music Society

A good attendance and a commendable standard of performance marked the September meeting of the veeal and instrumental group of the British Music Society’s Wanganui branch. Songs were given by Miss A. Hood, Mrs. B. Read, Aliss Esme Smith, Mrs. A. Tinker, Mr. J. Shanks; a vocal duet was given by Mrs. F. Ludbrook and Miss E. Smith, and a violin duet by Mrs. J. Green and Miss Edith Smith. Guest performer from the piano group was Aliss Al. Rich dale. Accompanist s were: Airs. A. Tinker. Airs. A. Williams, Air. L. Craig. Air. Craig gave a talk on musicians who came to New Zealand before recording and broadcasting days. A pleasant surprise was given the group when the visiting Dunedin singer, Miss Honor McKellar, made an appearance and sang four modern British songs. Aliss AicKellar has recently returned from England. She was warmly applauded for her artistic singing, in which she was ably supported at the piano by Aladame G. Griffiths.

The gramophone group met at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Brown. The evening was devoted entirely to Bach recordings.

N.Z. Students At Old Vic. Several New Zealand students of the Old Vic Theatre School in London are now on vacation after ah interesting but exacting year. The Old Vic School, now established for four years, has three courses; acting, technical production and technical stage design There have been Now Zealanders in each of them. Among them is Graeme Allwright, of Wellington, who has just completed his acting course of two years and is doing excellent work. He spent part of his schooldays in Wanganui, during the years his father, Air S. Allwright, was stationmaster. Mrs Allwright was a contributor to many delightful programmes during her residence in Wanganui. Air. Allwright, who was transferred to Wellington, retired so^ e time ago, and he and Mrs Allwright are at present visiting England to see their son. Also completed the two-year acting course is Miss Ruth Mandi, daughter of the pianist Lili Kraus and Dr. Mandi. Although not a New Zealander, she is regarded as one by her friends there, especially since she began her acting career with Miss Ngaio Marsh in Christchurch. The technical production course of one year has been completed by Miss Pamela Mann, of Christchurch, and Robert Stead, of Wellington, and the technical stage design course by John Knight, of Auckland. Having taken the production course, Richard Campion, of Wellington, is now a stage dirt ctor for the Young Vic Company, which has recently completed a three-month tour of Scandinavia.