42. There are also five full-time announcers and a staff of part-time newsreaders.
43. With more staff and facilities available the English Service was able to increase the quality and output of local productions. This was particularly noticeable in the fields of drama and feature programmes.
DRAMA
44. In April an extensive series of auditions was held to build up an amateur 'repertory' company who could be called on to take part in radio plays. Approximately fifty people were selected to form the nucleus of available talent and, after professional coaching, many of these have improved considerably. All types of radio plays-drama, thriller, comedy, are now undertaken and output averages two pro- ductions a month. A selection from the plays produced during the year includes: 'Nurse Cavell' by C. S. FORESTER and C. E. Bechofer ROBERTS, 'Ear for Detail' by Philip LEVENE, A Shred of Evidence' by R. C. SHERRIFF and 'Death in the Hand' by Douglas CLEVERDON.
FEATURES AND DOCUMENTARIES
45. The Features Producer, on secondment from the B.B.C., under- took several important productions during the year, in addition to his other duties. The documentary type of programme falls roughly into two categories; there are those which deal with special events which fall within the calendar year e.g. the opening of the new Kai Tak Airport Terminal and the famous Cheung Chau 'Bun' festival, and those which are concerned with current topics such as housing, drug addiction, etc. Radio Hong Kong broadcast a considerable number of such feature and documentary programmes such as 'People Are Dying' about the value of blood donation, and 'First Alarm' a documentary about the work of the Hong Kong Fire Services.
TOPICAL PROGRAMMES
46. Towards the end of the year the programme 'Today' which had hitherto been a 15-minute week-day production consisting of interviews with visiting personalities, background material on current Hong Kong affairs and the occasional use of B.B.C. and C.O.I. programme tapes, was converted into a one-hour programme which incorporated the B.B.C. General Overseas Service 8 p.m. (local time) news bulletin. This
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