48. Both sections of Radio Hong Kong owe a debt of gratitude to the British Council, which has not only provided many eminent speakers for talks, but has also given freely of its services in producing talks series for the Chinese section, notably one about country life in Britain, and another on British customs. In addition, the Council arranges for books to be sent from publishers in Britain for reviewing in the weekly magazine 'Viewpoint' the editorship of which was taken over during the year by the Assistant Representative, Miss Janet Tomblin, M.B.E. The successful series of English talks, 'Looking Back' came to an end at the beginning of the year.
Drama
49. A full range of plays from the B.B.C. was broadcast, but the number of live plays produced fell below that of 1953. Even so, new ground was broken by the production of two serials. The Hong Kong Stage Club produced a series of six famous British trials, written by Charles Parr, and the Garrison Players produced a comedy thriller serial 'Rambling Rose' by John Jowett. Both proved that the high degree of concentration necessary to produce what is, in effect, a play a week for several weeks, is possible with actors who have many other calls on their time, and a debt of gratitude is owed them for the many hours spent in rehearsal and transmission.
Music
50. 68 recitals were given from the studio, including broadcasts by visiting celebrity artists Julius Katchen, Cor de Groot, Maurice Clare and Janetta Macstay, Janine Andrade and Bernard Flavigny, Angus Morrison and Herbert Wiseman. The Sino-British Orchestra gave three broadcasts and the Hong Kong Concert Orchestra two. An interesting broadcast from the Catholic Cathedral was an oratorio in which the choir was conducted by the composer, Father Henry Beretta.
All three services were represented in military band concerts, as was also the band of the Hong Kong Police.
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