Radio_Hong_Kong_1959-1960 — Page 24

Kong during the year included Bernard MICHELIN, Walter HAUTZIG, Maurice WILK, Rudolf FIRKUSNY and Alfredo CAMPOLI.

84. All the major recitals of local orchestras and choirs were broadcast, as was the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, when set pieces from the syllabus were played for the benefit of the students and excerpts from the prize-winners' concerts were broadcast. An important series of illustrated talks was begun by Father RYAN. Entitled 'Music is for Everyone', this series covers every aspect of music and is designed to interest the ordinary listener.

85. The visit of one of the world's greatest orchestras, the Vienna Philharmonic, was the outstanding musical event of the year. Broad- casting this orchestra was difficult for the engineers because of the lack of time for balance and rehearsal. Inspired guess-work, however, pro- duced a most successful broadcast, and not only gave enjoyment to a wider audience than those who could attend, but also produced valuable experience for our sound recording engineers.

Features and Drama

86. Wide use continued to be made of BBC drama and outstanding here was the BBC 'World Theatre' series which presented amongst other great plays Ibsen's 'Hedda Gabler and 'Ghosts" and also a classic from the Greek theatre, the 'Oresteia' of Aeschylus. The local drama clubs made their contribution with plays such as the Hong Kong Stage Club's presentation of 'He Couldn't Help Laughing', Radio Hong Kong Actors' Studio's naval drama 'Flashpoint' and the Garrison Players' 'Pearl in the Hand'. A local author, Eric MEREDITH, achieved success with his comedy, 'In Search of a Wife'. BBC serials during this period included 'Britannia Mews', the 'Sherlock Holmes' series, 'The Archers' and 'Lady in a Fog', while from sources in Australia we broadcast more lightweight serials such as 'A Shot in the Dark', pieces which are generally known in the trade as 'cliffhangers'.

87. Perhaps the most memorable documentary programme was Dennis MITCHELL's earthy and vital expose of the back streets of Liver- pool and Manchester by night, which he called 'The Talking Streets'. Other important documentaries included 'Montgomery of Alamein', 'D-Day', and 'Lord Byron'; all from the BBC. Locally written documentary programmes covered the ship-breaking industry, the Police Force and various Service units in the Colony.

88. The English Service's contribution to the Hong Kong Festival of the Arts was a radio production of SHAKESPEARE'S ‘Hamlet'. This was

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