23. Among amateur performances were broadcasts given by the Y.M.C.A. harmonica band.
24. A considerable amount of western classical music is broadcast by the English Service, and the Chinese Service therefore confines its western music output to explanatory programmes which attempt to bring about a fuller understanding of western music by means of talks illustrated by examples. During the year, opera was the principal subject of these programmes. Outstanding performances first broadcast on the English Service were subsequently repeated by the Chinese Service. Among these were the recital by Alfredo Campoli, and the concert given by the Vienna Academy Choir.
25. The Annual Hong Kong Schools Music Festival was covered as in previous years, five programmes being compiled from the prize winners' concert.
Drama
26. Plays are produced in Cantonese, Kuoyu and Chiuchow, and in quantity the 1958 output was maintained. Quality of scripts however still remained indifferent despite efforts to attract new and better writers. In previous years listeners had commented on the large number of melodramatic tragedies being broadcast, and in 1959 more emphasis was therefore placed on the production of comedies, which have proved popular.
27. One of the leading authors of the Colony, Dr. S. I. HSIUNG, adapted his new stage play 'Lady on the Roof' for broadcasting, and arrangements were in hand for a regular series of radio plays written by him.
28. Longer radio plays in Cantonese, broadcast weekly, were based on stories from China's history, ghost stories and translations from European novels and plays.
29. Two lighthearted serials were Family Diary' and 'Teahouse Chit Chat'; both of these, whilst being primarily entertaining, were used from time to time to give informal publicity to various Government activities, which in 1959 included the drives against Triad societies and drug addiction. 'Family Diary' is based on the lives of Ho Hoi-san and his family and tenants. The series was brought to an end in February and replaced by 'Teahouse Chit Chat' in March.
30. Ten Chinese novels were adapted and broadcast as dramatized stories during the year.
5
Page 15Page 16