The Birmingham Post from Birmingham, West Midlands, England • 10

ARTS REVIEW ARTS THE WEEK ARTS REVIEW MUSIC AND VOCAL RECORDS DYE'S recent recording of 1. Part 3 of Bach's Claviersbung by Ralph Downes has now been followed by a three-record set of the EIGHTEEN CHORALES and the SIX SCHUBLER CHORALES by the same artist at the same organ, designed by Downes in the Royal Festival Hall. (Virtuoso TPLSI32OB-9-30) The Surfaces of this set are better than those of the earlier one, though there is occasional peaking, presumably due te too-close recording. The performances are distinguished though occasionally the alower chorales strike me as sluggish. The changes in registration (detailed on the sleeves) help bring welcome tonal variety to the music, but my personal preferences are for Rogg or Walch.

DVORAK'S SERENADES, 0p.22 and 44 have been coupled before, (once in notable performances by Talich). They make an attractive pair; each is full of the composer's engaging melodic invention. The performances, by two Czech groups conducted by Vlach and Turnowsky respectively, are relaxed and idiomatic but Supraphon's recording shows signs of deterioration toward the end of the sides. In all other respects it is technically satisfactory. (SUASTSOIBO) (Scores: Artia or Eulenberg).

It was a good idea to get Campoli and Tryon to record the Liszt DUO for violin and piano, and an even better one to couple it with Strauss's early and full-blown SONATA, 0p.16. Those who heard this pair play the Liszt in Birmingham recently will relish this opportunity of hearillg again. Not an important tian work (all its four movements are based on Chopin's Mazurka 0p.6 0.2), but a welcome addition to the catalogue stylishly played and well recorded. The Strauss has appeared twice before: this version holds its own, for Campoli is at his best in this kind of music and Valerie Tyron is a specialist in the period. (Virtuoso TPLSI3OI7).

I was disappointed in and Eden's recording of Bartok's SONATA POR TWO PIANOS AND PERCUSSION (Decca KENNETH DOMMETT REVIEWS NEW INSTRUMENTAL Delius's REQUIEM a strikingly anti-Christian expression of the form has had a sudden revival. Two live performances this year (one at the Proms) are now followed by a superb recording by Heather Harper, John Shirley-Quirk the Royal Choral Society and the RP 0 under Meredith Davies HMV A8D2379) through the auspices of the Delius Trust. On the reverse in the IDYLL, which benefits from good recording. I prefer this version to Barbirolli's droopy one on Pye, but still find myself baulked by Walt Whitman. Christa Ludwig's latest record with Klemperer (HMV A8D23911 is a nicely progranuned recital of Brahma, Wagner and Mahler.

Only the five Mahler Songs are new: Brahm's ALTO RHAPSODY AND Wagner's WESENDONK LIEDER have appeared before. The Brahms is the least successful of th three, the balance between the singer and the male chorus is not ideal, and the singer seems less happy than with Wagner's or Mahler's richer opulence. To Mahler's gorgeous songs she brings all her considerable artistry, and the result is almost worth the price of the record on its own. The faults are small and only relative beside the general excellence of singing and playing and should not deter anyone from buying; (Score: Brahms, Eulenburg). How sad that Fritz Wunderlich should have died so young, yet utterly proper that he should be included in the HMV's Golden Voices Series (HQS1188).

This great tenor, like Tauber and others before him, was equally at home in opera and in operetta. One side of this record demonstrates his abilities in Handel (this is how the "Largo" ought to be sung), Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Nichols' and Flotow. The second side, devoted to Lehar, Kalman, Fall and the rest, proves equally rewarding We tend to overlook the musical value of a lot of this music, but listening to Wunderlich sing Komm Zigany from "Countess Mariza" or Tauber's favourite, You are my heart's delight is to put it into new and deeper perspectives. A magnificent record. I know I ought to like Stravinsky's CANTATA, but I don't.

I Just do not respond to what I can only describe as its dark brown setting of some fine anonymous English poetry. The new recording of it from Suprapho coupled with the with Barbara Rowbotham and Gerald English, the Czech Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra under Ancerl, strikes me as being several cuts above the composer's own on CBS and as well recorded. But I still find it a depressant (Scores: Boosey Hawkes). auk and Pimenta provide an interesting and intelligent recital of French violin sonatas by Franck and Poulenc and Faure's Berceuse on a nicely balanced and only marginally too bright recording from Supraphon (SUASTSOB79). More French music, this time from the darling dodo of the avant-garde, SATIE.

A recital of his piano music by Aldo Ciecolirti (HMV ASD23B9) reveals the sad buffoon as a miniaturist of great invention and profound tenderness. Do not be put off by the quixotic titles or by the vast and probably insupportable claims made for him; take the music at face value and you will find it very enjoyable, and sympathetically PlaYed. Take THE MUSIC OF ORNETTE COLEMAN at face. or any other, value and I suspect you will find very little in it. beyond pretentiousness.

I thought Forms and Sounds had been unfairly knocked when Coleman's jazz players recorded it. In the hands of "classical" players and with Coleman's idiotic doodles on the trumpet I am less certain. Saints and Sinners and Space Flight, both for string quartet, begin promisingly but end up in a flat spin taking a nose-dive into the void. Coleman is a better alto player RCA SF-7944). Alfredo Campoll 8XL6357).

This is a fearfully difficult work but it has had some good recordings recently, notably from the Ogdons. This one does not real compete either in accuracy or the feeling of involvement in the composer's dark, rather mysterious idiom. It is rhythmically slack too, though it is helped out by two excellent percussionists. Tristan Fry and James Holland, and well balanced recording. The coupling Poulenc 's SONATA FOR TWO PIANOb.

a late work, seems to suit the Israeli duettists better. It is an impressive sonata and rates high in the opinions of those who admire the composer. My copy suffered from very poor surfaces, however. (Score: Bartok, Boosey do Hawkes). Haydn's GUITAR QUARTET and a T'ERZETTO by Paganini by John Williams, Alan Loveday, Amaryllis Fleming and Cecil Aronowitz (in Haydn) Is assured of success among guitar enthusiasts.

Beautifully recorded by CBS 172878) how much better their British recordings are than their American ones these jolly little trifles make ideal listening and pure entertainment. Saturday Cilsrelem as Catdslsop. male of Street and Pistol! bine. agl o. a.lll.

to p.m. (mad Md. 111moktord Womea's Autumn Fain, to be opened by Coup. Mrs Freda Cocks. Maitland Hall.

Waskwood Heard Road, 2.30 pan. Hombre and fireworks mealvel. Summer. field Park. DuJley Road.

3.30 0... ashatlor Army nsmical 'Take over (Meat Hall. Aston Vintage try, 7.13 Mai utairi cEl ormm. ers ext Toz id ilell 7 aid, boomer. OWN.

Orebestra Camera. 7.30 p.m. HAMM Oub. moven. Imperial Sprel.

Temple Sweet. 7 gb ee Id a of Mora. ilet. Miami Hoed. 7.

p.m Vamp swage. All Saint's Cleureis Hall. Heard Lad, 7.30 p.m. ardiamoa Operatic Society: 'Tames." rye Feed Lane School. Erdiamon.

jibiborlit lisperetie Society: 'TM Merry Widow." Harbors, Hill School. ZapesiJ Omit aillbt) ram Hand. Jam Old Groans. rboth. 6.0 M.

1110614ena: Museum and Art Gleamy. eve Street. Life In Minis. Pita (umli November 301. until November 10), "POOH History of lestim and loser (WWI November led Coops Colkotioa (until until 171, A.

E. Hills Gallery. watercolours (mid November Il SAL to 6g.e n. nry le .........1 1 Len. to 6 p.m.

4: Curt: last wpe le 11 am. to rill. day). MMlande Aigt Centre, Cannon Hill Park. Cud Of Wmalnillballi Reserve Collectioa.

NM li November 3). 'Tainting Today niques" (until November 24). 10 am. to p.m. De.

Jobwabia Hiome. "Cbririnses Cards tor Ctseriteedo 10 a.m. to 6 pm. (mill aeld43emeener). Reference Library.

Rat id( Place: "The United Nations and Human Ridlett." II a m. to 111 ip.m (Mit Mt). Midland Jedime. Margaret Strut: Wilt Arti 10 a.m. to 6 pea.

(until Riagl cture t4 1 i 4 1 1 4 tet: a ts day). Theatres: Atezandra. John Bright Street. Opera Company, and CII O. 2 pia.

and 7.15 tem. (emit NOVIIIIMST .7. Slather Street: "The Man-Want 4 Venice." 2.30 pm. and 7.15 pm (lam Otrig p.m., 2.30 atic p.m. and nut Om) Midiands MO Centre, yam sou Peek: Three lanes." arta day).

Crowfeet. head Surat: She to 7:15 p.m (last day) rd puip i rs Ponl a sd 00 FM. ihis ore all. Stoke jorlltlent golllzatotloso. grime oopoored.

Mom) Clatlenr. II duo. to poi. Moll CIVILTEPRILM Atl ais. tr.4berall: osstioors tra aid 11.10111111613 6 CHIPFING COWDEN pia Soder TlVofts Cart al Noll.

7.10 PAK DrirGroup: OE the Gee fad. rw Hall, 7.50 pas COVENTRY Oren Ad Galley: COVISUT god W. Sudety of Artlals' annual ealaltelua. 10 Lea to p.m Lord Magee aid Lady Mime a reit beldleedi Croon Gras Ashur Downes Assureiatioa. Al era Social S.

111 41. Deputy aid Deperty MaYoreas attired annual dinner aed deuce of Cuyenttry esrdncti of Grenadier Ouarde Meow. Central Barbs. 7.30 part Ilelarade Tltettre: The Odd Courple." thll osll Ca.cnir) Theatre: "TM lIPSS Intenuttoml DtrtliJay Shom." va. and sal DILItIY Oec-day schnol, Natural HilllOtY Derby Art Gallery.

TM Wardnicn. 3 p.m. Ha K. 0 corotos to etio Evidence." a tliellart al. Ansateur OlvermiS 'Society.

"The Coast e. London Road. 2.30 um and Unit Trselne: "The Net hereon Arts Centre. 7.30 p.m. EVIESKAM Inenteserst Trades' Associatten: peedent's nude, Past Vies Hotel.

7 p.et. Fireworks deptay. Viaduct Meadow. 7 Pa rents' Moodstloil: sale, 3 n.m. Mld i 1.113 3avnQisnlew: 8,1141 eytalna.

Sandra' Maser Way. I pm. to 11.30 LIDSURY Emile! Pock and Sons Cethda. OA Hotel. ea.

St. Jobs Ambulance Jumble Mk. Sntab Limos Halt 2.30 9.m. MALVERN Woromer Operatk Society: Orpheus lo rise Underworld Festival Theatre. 0.30 p.m.

and 2.30 pas. (last day). Cotwir Youth Conference: Vows People Talkies." Youth Centre. 2.45 PAP loon' Clrsh: children's Hallowe'en piny. Priory LOO.O 14411.

3.30 p.m. Exhibitions. Festival Theatre: mese neaten Sari Lunt; paintinws asd Kul 0- tUte. Walenty Purl ervia-office hour 1 arll Ist, Lesson: eshrwornin. 1011.

Barnett's Green. 10 a.m. Girls' Vesture Corps: .0010 fair. Cliristr Hall. 215 pen.

Ose-day school: Pleasures of Sin Crab- Int er Yertber F.Oweatba. SIB Malvern Scouts, Clelstmes Ascension Hall. 2.30 p.m OXFORD itrock by Nary Potter. Oxford Gallery. 23.

INA Street. 10 a m. to o.en mad NoresOber 27). hibit ion: rock by Patricia 014114 GA Cio Hertel. Mardinl (unt Nomaarber 16).

tchettra 'moons Oomtereinm. Mum Hall, 1045 am. Jotn Se minions. Peons Hell Hord. 1130 SLMIJD COideMild Opera(lc Swim: Toms Hill.

2.30 ass. sad 716 pot Lofts PtrUPPITIIIICt: buffet dance. Penes Moll Hotel 11116 p.M. E. Parties, end Co.

MAWr sad dame. Penns Kell Hotel. 0.30 P.M. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Emblention: stoneware and poritiain ey Alan Spencer Greve. Peter Dmitri Gallery.

IS, Miter Street. 8.30 a.s. to 1 .30 4 ivvr 2 1. 3 0 rm. 00l Rect al lamteaprete ire: Kies 2 P.M.

Troilus aad 7.30 WALSALL Or Wen sod Solttsso Club: "looses OK sty drlao li komici, os rows Edo SW HAL 730 Nefedos West, Idoookb. 30x: add ambers Owes: C11 V.001001.0A arts and crafts erbOdtios. Worts Casson, Booth Street. Dartsstea, 3 Adult Pduceabn, Old Hall VMS, 2.30 Grand Theatre: and Pore Wine." 3 3.ak. and Ora lITEINGHAM PARK.

Illiresmilee Collate: atioloael Cbarlfsworti. TIM closet' of Nat Fettles la India lad Palm. to Brian Porter, att-Aran Nattonalirn la tit! Middle East Prof. Calories Fortier. Tie New Nation, or ANA Edward Pilllarracq.

Tim Roe a caltk Nationalism 3.3 3 a ea tali Orr) Saturday strvices pr illigi. ssons i da 3.l3irrai.L 3 01. Clemes. Obutlaslamt Contemtcm 11 a.m. to 12.30 430 pm.

to II 5.30 0m to 5 p.m. Cmanum: Tine Communion (Lady 5.30 a.m., Matins 9.19 Erintivrt for Usay (amps' of Unity) boos Evensons 5.30 p.rn Glatmentera Holy Communion II a.m.. Matins 9.4 a.m.. Hylton Stewart. in C.

Anitinion 540. 4 p.m 14relennt Holy Communion Can. Mastro 9.3oaaf Etymons 4 pm. Litiom muni ani: on. Int onolog Premr nton' 7.30 a.m..

Ma Clt. a.m., Evensong Prayer 4.90 Om. Wsirratemei Holy COMMIII4OII 7.45 a.m.. Mantas a.m.. Evensong 5.313 MIDLAND MAGAZINE In London by Michael Billington In for a cigarette advertisement.

On the credit side, the film builds up a remarkable impression of the atmosphere at Grenoble through the accumulation of detail. The film tells one nothing of who won or lost particular events. Nor does it give one any information about timings or the breaking of particular records. What it does do (and this is something televised sport often does not is convey the of the occasion and remind one that the events themselves are only part of an Olympic Competition. Frankly.

in contrast to my sabbath colleague. I think the only people who might find the film a shade disappointing are the hard-core sports fanatics and ski-buffs. Two other films in recent weeks have been more than passably pleasant. One is Rachel, Rachel, directed by Paul Newman and containing an impressive performance by Joanne Woodward. The setting is small-town America: the theme is the flowering and development of a 33-year-old spinster schoolteacher.

It sounds as if it might have come straight from the corn-belt, but enough attention is paid to the way people actually live and talk for the film to be much more than high-class mush. As a portrait of a character and a certain type of small-town society, the film is admirable. But, if you're not convinced already, then go and see the film for the sake of Miss Woodward's performance. These days the rise of the director's status has generally led to a decline in the actor's importance. Here, however, comes a splendid refutation of that trent Looking much heavierbuilt than usual, Miss Woodward follows the simple expedient of playing the character from her own point of view: as a girl who's shy, quiet, bright and positively yearning for emotional fulfilment and physical release.

It's a beautiful piece of acting My other recommendation is Oliver' which has been translated to screen by Sir Carol Reed with a good deal of tact and style. I'd never seen the stage show and so was a bit shocked at the way Dickens had been softened and sentimentalised. But I must admit that the music is good, the sets occasionally breathtaking and the performance of Ron Moody is a delight. Just the thing for a dark winter afternoon. Other recent arrivals include a new version of Mayer ling that transforms a famous doomed love-affair into a prolonged romantic bore: Barbarella in which a skimpily-attired Jane Fonda disports herself as a sci-fi strip-cartoon heroine (on the whole, vulgar without being funny); and a good new Western, Hang 'gin High, that combines a certain amount of moral sophistication with a good deal of brutality.

A scene from Challenge in the Snow, the Claude Lelouch and Francois Reichenbach film made at the 1968 Winter Olympic Games at Grenoble. i SEE that one Sunday I critic has described the film about the Winter Olympics, Challenge in the Snow, as something of a bore to everyone but the sports enthusiast. Nothing could be further from the truth. The great merit of the film is that, rather like Kon Ichikawa's Tokyo Olympiad, it gives one a vivid. impressionistic account of a great public spectacle rather than a mere documentary record.

Let me clear out of the way first of all my main reservation about the film: it has a lush and vulgar score by Francis Lai that manages to devalue many of the potent visual images. Instance: the Olympic torch is carried up a seemingly eternal flight of steps to the great bowl it will suddenly set alight. The athlete's sunlight ascent is perfect but the soft choral background makes one feel one is in Sunday Theoeuphical Society in Fa gland, public tireamehant 2 Runcorn Road. Mustily. M.

0. Rendsll um Who Made The Maker." 1330 p4rl CVnvert: Midland Youth evaluator Myth MAJklr. sulcrist Tina' Ni.lyilson. lows Hall. 7.10 p.m.

Wen Mldlends Candor Party oataltsts: sule Awn ball twit. Norataheld YMC A. Road. 2.30 p.n. 1..

7.10 p.m. Emile Jan Bond, Oil Dtgoett, I Orgy Cock Folk Soak Club, White Lloa Hotel. Horselag. 8 o.rn talillthlanot Human and Art Gallery. C.nydreve Street.

Loft in Hourtorr." (until November 301. (until November 101: "Poll HAW) of Palettlne and bract" lun.ll November 20): "Ind Coupe Collectoon" (mll November 17). A. lli'a Gallery. Edmund Street, "Ensign 34 mann Novernaer 241.

2 p.m to 5 Midlands Arts C.entte. Cansea Park: CU). of Ilornmegluvest Aeterve day): Palstlek 'reelingFan" (until 241. 10 a.m. to 6 tn.

CRADUCY oannwis. Lower Nopend 11 ass. to 5.30 pin. (omit November fl COVENTRY Owenby eatre: Halm Swett. Mates.

0 A. and 1 30 rn LEAMINGTON ff A Gamer': Warerialkildre Sinserborm I. Tows Nall. tide. SIJITON GOLDFIELD Itilk DaThict 401 Some Sosists, neetis.

Um Orme Yew! Comm 3 jib Moyerata trasesta a Rea Wood Arat Mu iot rcia Stboct. toloart lawn. 3 tat Patron' ot Amory. AA folete Ineorsalt WAIJIALL Sunday services Cmisiralt Moir Cositya taus. ic II Mo 111 10 a Lyon! kei M.

Map, 7 a 2 1 41 ir awl soft. nal Mats 10 a.m. Main 01. Semcs 11.30 Orman, Csibodral: Communlos (Nam altar) Matins ICllaml Mt Cross) 11.30 ars. Cossesselos 10.30 sm.

Evemoes S3O Dm TM Posple's musics 7 ism Gloucester Caibodral: Holy 11.4 en ommunion II a.rn MAGAS Euenwitint. Olothes ny tey. 10 300 cao. rin.im 3 o.ta= Hereford ficAv Cominuerm a run Ettehdf ISt 910 a.m. Matra 11 Hair Communios ems Cladres's Charce.

3 eot Proems 8.30 PSC IMAReM Cargedreli Holy Cornmmfon 7.13 ar and 9 a.m. Morni 10.30 Forting Ft 3 30 Prayer WOrCeeler Catiledillit 111.01 7.45 p.m", Holv Communion I a Mailer 10.30 ni Sum 11.30 i.e. 4 fare Service 630 111nroarme Parisi Cheri, 114. MietlaPet Intege-001l Rlngi Holy Coesrannim 6.30 Fairday Rev David Caron. 6.30 Ferny Conmunfon.

Rir Meld Casson 11 1.1111.. scott goo J. Mayfield. 6.30 901 Pre Cone Degregi Morolng Service. Row.

Mlogael Hortard. 10 43 Len. Byrum Mn. Margret Sense. 535 Vire Mena a draw.lawhi.

Yoram Wait Agri. allaselsys Christlas Service, aid 640 tem Aopooslooe. 1111660efoot Holy Can. Yousios Ia Poway Serytee. Rey.

0. Wilcox. 10 a.m. Manes Rey P. Richards.

11 Holy Cosomoolon looos Rvensone, Wilma. 630 per el Om Meetlntl. Mein Meads Communion 11 tysalei iervhe pm. Rer. George Fur at it.

Jew's Oserei. SrraekN leaf. Tf kill: Holy Oasnenunton I a.m. sur elluech. Rev.

0 Capon. 10.30 Empale. Mt. A. Nock.

1.30 0-an 64 MkiMere green. lisaneweette Holy (Nymoyon LAI PIMA Rey E. Prue. 630 aS. Ereseong.

Rot E. Poet. 010 owe. Pariah March of ft. MM.

Man Mom. Haeleargna Monolog Prayer. Rev. J. M.

Midlrlin. 11 arm Holy Ain- T. 0. 'Miter. 6.30 p.a.

Se. Sampeeen's Owen. 111117 Hill: Holy (AMMINIOIOII 0.30 a Cibildren's neuron 10 e.t.a. Moraina Prayer. Re.

el R. Williams 11 am. Peening Prayer. Rev D. HunnArlais 6.30 pm.

Stenalnemen Omni Minden. Ceeparaties Swear: Semen. 11 a.m and 6.30 p.m, Malelmn Edward. at both SC vices) Untearkm Morel el the SOWN, Oreed Street: Family Service. Rev A.

H. Pries. 3 p.n. IL Jana's Natimed Morel. 24.

1-mom 11444. Sawn Address and clairvoyance. 0. Tetley. 6.30 pm 1.1144 Han.

SeiMolle Street: apbstrAr. Mr lengths. "Countdown to 6.30 p.m. Parish Clanrclie Holy CommuMan a.m. Pearly Communion 11 Lug Evensong.

Rev A. Moseley. 13 am. Evensong. Canon D.

Poster. 4.30 p.m ANSWERS TO FAMILY QUIZ 1. Eighteen (4 gold. 12 silver, 2 bronze). 2.

Prospero and Miranda (The Tempest I. ii). 3. George Farquhar. 4.

Monmouthshire. 6. The Montrose. 6. A kind of halberd.

TELEVISION Today The Purple Plain (1313 C-2. 3.0). First of a new series of Saturday afternoon alms. Gregory Peck in war Alm. The Caesars (ATV.

9.56). final part of this excellent aeries. Tomorrow The Great Stars (BBC-1. 8.15). Advise and Consent.

Charles Laughton and Henri Ponds in highly acclaimed Political drama. The World About Us (119C4. 8.15) Jacques Cousteau examines the shark. Tuesday The Gunpowder Plot (BBC-1. 9.51.

Dramatised investigation conducted by actor John Cresson. Wednesday International Football (BBC-1. 10.45). Rumania v. Znerland from Bucharest.

First international between the two countries since 1939. Tomorrow Fenner Brockway: An 10th birthday programme looks at Lord Brockway 's 60 years of protest (Radio 4. 10.10 p.m.). Monday The Aspern Radio adaptation of the novel by Henry James (Radio 4. 0.30 Birmingham Alexandra 'Theatre.

The Welsh National Opera Company and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra enter their second week. Nabucoo is on Monday; Carmen on Tuesday and Friday: Blgoletto on Wednesday and Saturday evening; and The Berber Stunts staged on Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. Performances: Evenings 7.15 pm; Saturday matinee. 2 p.m. ftetiertrery Theatre: Old Time Music Hail, directed by Michael Simpson.

which opens on Tuesday is the last production in the autumn repertoire. It Is also being given on Wednesday afternoon and evening ana Saturday evening. The Merchant of Venice Is on Thursday and Friday evening and Seturdt afternoon. Performances: Evenings, 7.15 p.m: matinees. We and Saturday.

230 p.m. A demonstratton and lecture on Pt ppetry will be given next Saturday by Mr. John Blundell at 10.90 am Binningham Theatre: Kenneth McKellar. Roy Castle. Erg Dixon, sauna Southern and Eric Delaney and his Music, feature in The Ovaltine Show which opens on Monday for a week Performances: Monday to Friday.

7.30 p.m; Saturday 5 m. and p.m; matinee, Wednesday. 2.30 p.m. Johnny Cash appears tomorrow at 5.10 p.m. and p.m.

Midlands Arts Centre: The Rivals will be even from Tuesday to Saturday. Performances: Tuesday and Friday. 2.30 Wednesday and Saturday. 2,30 p.m and p.m; Thursday. 2.30 p.m.

and 6.30 p.m. Crescent Theatre: The Savoy Operatic Society present Oil. MUSIC Tonight: College of Further Idueation, Rae Mitch. Bournville Male Voice Choir. 7.30.

All Saints Church. Cheltenham. Hoist concert. Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra and Cappella Singers. SA.

Sunday: Town Hall. Leamington Spa. Warwickshire 87mphony Orchestra Loft Theatre. Leamington Spa. Momaue to Purcell." Apollo Society.

p.m. Wednesday: Town Hall. Birmingham. Organ recital. 1.16 Pm, Town Hall.

Birmingham. Mantras de Plata and Company. p.m Thursday: Town Hall. Birmingham. Brno Philharmonic Lion Hotel.

Shrewsbury. Ralph Holmes (violin). Denis Matthews (piano). Dinner 7 p.m.. concert at 7.45 p.m.

The will be recording a concert of music by Midlands composers played by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. conducted by Norman Del Mar. at 2.90 November 17 In Civic Hall. Solihull. Application for tickets should be in writing, lowei enclosing stamped attetrousa sovelom to 111 C.

Cannata I gitlia ll i ss-Leaa. Raid. Birmingham 15. RADIO TU415414 1 oTlalterty. V.C.: The one-act play by Bernard SWF an intractable war here (Radio 3.

8.15 Pm.) Wednesday Rlde a Cock Horse: David Mercer's play about a boy of worludi-olass orlsla adapting to life In London as a successful writer (Radio 3. p.m.). COUNTY The Birmingham Post, Saturday, November 2, 1968 Birmingham by Keith Brace Susannah York and lames Coburn find there is not much spare time for love when they are engaged in modern piracy: from AA CORRESPONDENT who complains about the lack of ohoice of films in Birmingham's eight central cinemas will not find much comfort in next week's programmes. The long-running roadshows." Star! at the Bristol and Oliver at the Gement, continue. These are part of the new economics of the cinema.

budgeted before production starts to recover their money from long runs. As the public seems to like films under these special seats, separate is diflicult to protest, though renters and exhibitors have tentatively discussed a time-limit on long runs to keep the now of films moving. The Scala keeps War and Peace, stylish version of Tolstoy's novel about Napoleon's invasion of Russia: welcome come-back for those who missed one of the best epics of the 19505. The Futurist takes two comebacks: The Magnificent Seven, with Yui Brynner. savage fight between bandits and gunmen hired to defend a village in Mexico, based on famous Japanese film, The Seven Samurai; DUFFY (Odeon, New Street neat week).

and its sequel, The Return of the Seven. ABC Coleshill Street, keeps Barbarelfa. sexy space-fiction with Jane Fonda as girl-astronaut of the future searching for a renegade earth-scientist on a distant planet. There are three new films. The Cinephone takes Stefanie, a Greek film, in its current series of Greek films, an unusual venture and worth supporting.

Stefonsa is a melodrama with psychological overtones about a delinquent girl and her experiences in a reform school. The Odeon takes Duffy, fashionable type of comic adventure with James Coburn as an American living in Tangiers who ets snarled up in a major piracy ob linvolving robbing several mi llion dollars from British banker and shipping tycoon James Mason. The plan works but Duffy smells a doublecross With James Fox and Susannah York. ABC New Street. takes The Lost Continent based on a Dennis Wheatley novel about a motley collection of failures and criminals on a leaky cargo ship who ars lost in the Sargasso Sea where they encounter a strange people descended from Spanish seamen.

and suitably malevolent. With Eric Porter. Hildegard Knef. BACK HOME And so back to England, the land we all hate with affection. To warm beer and stale pies at station buffets while we wait for trains still eternally late.

England, where truth is better than fiction: Peer's Son in Court on Drugs Charge; Mini-skirted dean 17, Marries Vicar, 86; and Killers Still Free After Mass Prison Break. England, the land of amateur professionals and professional amateurs, of the Declining Empire and the Shrinking Role, cleaning cars on Sundays, rain on Bank Holidays; of false cheer behind half-pints and faces in masks; the sudden green of spring when first cuckoos call everywhere. England, never quite up with The Times, baggy-panted despite how Hard-ie Amies tries Economically gaunt, run by pot-bellied cigar-smokers protecting their middle-age but envying youth frolicking with sex, weeds, flowers and bells. England, my England MIDLAND THEATRES bent and Sullivan's Utopia Ltd. for a week.

PerforManceat Nightly. 7.15 p.m. Cheltenham Everyman Theatre: A newcaner to the company, Ellen ab wan. grand app of Sir Johnstone Forbes-Robertson. appears In A Month in the Country by Ivan Turgenev, adapted by Emlyn Williams.

which opens for a two-week run on Tuesdey. Performances: Th ursday and Friday. 7.45 p.m; Wednesday, 2.30 p.m. and 7 p.m; Saturday. 5 p.m.

and 3p.m Coventry Theatre: Nell Simon's American comedy. The Odd Couple, Be enters the second of its three-week run Performances: Monday to Friday. 740 p.m; Saturday 5 pm. and 8 pm The Scaffold: three men from Liverpool. give their own brand of entertainment on Sunday.

November 10 at p.m, Coventry Theatre: Rolf Harris and Lonnie Donegan star In the Birthday Show. Performances: Monday to Friday. 730 pm: Saturday, 5 p.m. and nm: matinees. Wedneeday and Thursday.

2 30 p.m. Johnny Mathis heads the bill in a Sunday night show tomorrow at 6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m Leamington Loft Theatre: David Biddie's production of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard continues for another week. Perfoemances: Wednesday to Saturday. 7.30 P.m Leicester Phoenix Theatre: The Hayling Family.

by Allan Mookhome. enters its last week. Performances Monday to Friday, 7.30 Wednesday matinee. 2.30 p.m; Saturday, 4,45 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Nottingham Playhouse: The world premiere of The Ruling Class, a comedy by Peter Barnes and starring Derek Godfrey. is well to fi ord -upon-Airon is on wedtimitiay. er orma nce, will The be given on Thursday, Friday and Saturday tV4SIDI3OI. The School for Scandal will be given on Saturday aftarnoon. Performances: Wednesday to Friday.

7 3.0 p.m; Saturday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m Salem Jones. The Roy Budd Trio and Peter Ban's Jazz Tete-a-Tete appear in a concert at 8 p.m. Stratford-upon-Avon Royal Shakespeare Theatre: King Lear. starring Eric Porter, Is OD Monday and Saturday evenings; Much Ado About Nothing has two matinees on Wednesday and Saturday, and will also be given on Tuesday evening.

Troilus and Creasid4 Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon; Doctor Faustus; Thursday evening; and As You Like It on Friday evening. Performances: Nightly, 730 p.m; matinees. Wedneeday. ThUraday and Saturday. 2 Wolverhampton Drat Sou I p.m: Mailhoo.

Grand 'Theatre: Pacific for a week Saturday. 3.30 p.m. Worcester Swan Theatre: SM'd Rather KW Then Spin, al freely adapted from a lusty Jacobean comedy. A My Masters. conUnues.

It is staged by Worcester Performances: Tuesday to Pridar. 7.30 p.m: day. 6 p.m tad p.m. Tontormer. Betty Iltriesby aki4 lb.

pach ag er present an evening of poetry ass pin all p.m. Cohn Shaw 1 17'7 t' ,4 4 i 41111 14 4- i lik OF dr 41111 441 4 00 110.1"......' THEATRE J. C. TREWIN AND THE WORLD OF BEN AS I looked down the pro- Gruskins, especially in a Travers 'Travers plot: but if you do, you will have when translated to the gramme of the Yvonne farce, realise how precisely it is put theatre. Arnaud Theatre at Guildford Corker's End, for let me swoop together, like the works of an The other day he observed the other night, a name gladly towards the point, is the expensive watch.

I am not endearingly that, if possible, he they say jumped from the first farce Ben Travers has going to dogmatise about a likes to have a in his titles. page. These jumping leaping written for 16 years. A few sense of humour: the old The ea spread out before us: A names are dangerous. Sometimes weeks ago I complained of the tale.

Everyone thinks di ff er Cuck oo in the Nest, Rookery they knock out a reader in the tiresome contemporary ins is- ently; passages that can send Nook, Thark, A Cup of Kindfirm few pages of a book, or a tence on either age or youth some of us into a form of ness, Turkey Time, Dirty Work. playgoer early in the evening. Ben Travers, whatever the supercharged ecst a a leave Now Corker's End joins the Indeed, they are one of the reference books allege, never others looking as aloof and cold fr arty (I em rather glad that slopes stern occupational hazards of grows old: today, if fl ushed by as the upper of Ben More Gruskin, who delighted me. reading or playgoing. the sunset air of roseate Rye" which is not ia the Travers has his as Edmund Gosse put it in quite range on a winter night.

Hastily, let me begin again. another context remains (One of my favourite uncon- Besides the craft of the The title of the Yvonne Arnaud Travcrs of the Aldwych sciously comic lines is from a exposition, we can observe the play was Corker's End: splendid very serious book published dramatist's inimitable exit lines in itself. And the name that The Aldwych Theatre may about twenty years ago: "I have I will not quote because they swung up at me was apparently have changed its policy a trifle. written a an intellectual should be heard in the proper simple: Steeth. Some may tom- Still, at certain hours, for those addressing other intellectuals the ultimate frenzy pare it Weyman kind of thing with eyes to see, the stage can Something there almost in the middle of which the Stanley.

's peoric: used be peopled with the past: with "Passionately pompous). curtain falls. I repeat myself to hiss at each other in the Ralph Lynn, Tom Walls, Mary again. remembering the ballet second paragraph. But who Brough, the laurelled crowd.

lam not arguing then about critic another nice bit of reads Weyman today, and cer- They were nights of quicksilver; the indifinable sense of humour, se u. consc i ous who tainly who reads G. P. R. there had been nothing like merely report 1n that in exhorted a baller ina to "lend James? His solitary horseman, them in English farce, and there Corker's End Travers has con- more of a swooning ritardando unnoticed by any living soul, has been nothing since.

Now, in quered again with the brand of to her retird. may still be descending a spur Corker's En Travers has comedy that bursts into farcical of the Appenines: nobody cares. written a play that could once efflorescence. This was the way Ben Travers, like an older Steeth, for me, is pure Ben have taken the Aldwych stage throughout the Aldwych series. Ben, enjoys the comedy of Travers.

Horses for courses; and here stands ready to chal- Since Corker's End I have been humours. A "humour can names for plays. I have only to lenge a modern cast. haunted by the old and famous possess a man until all his say "Travers" to be surroded The Guildford programme has scenes: a young man (Lynn" affects. his spirits, and his at once by the clamours of Tilly a note that puts the author's with an uncontrollable desire to powers in their confluctions Winn, D'Arcy Tuck, Mrs.

Bugle method succinctly: "There can sleep under a washstand, a must run in one course." Many of Ch er 8l Mrs. Berber be another sort of farce, nearer landlady (Brough) who was the Travers people would love Cherry BucX, and several others akin to comedy. in which the Pully Occupied, an Admiral's the word "confluctions." When who, in the world of farce. characters are essentially recoil- blopressure speech on club we think of it, Corkers End at belong to the ages. nimble types of humanity.

and bridge, a butler named Death Guildford is a prolonged and Steeth joins them. He is of a the humour (if any) springs with a double-demon scowl. relishing confluction of fooleries Travers must have created 200 that ends in mid-career: another proud old lineage a semi-Turk, from the spectacle of these and in performance actor people getting involved in some characters in the world he hasplaymight be written about the was Ralph Gruskin he egregocious adversity or predica- regulated to his own use. events after curtain-fall. reminded me of plaster that ment.

This is the pattern I have As I said once, he has the Sometime, I hope, it will be peeled from the ceiling of a always tried to follow." We farceur's eye. Other men's vision written. Meanwhile, let us be dubious inner metropolitan know how he has followed it; may be limited, but he can see grateful we are for this office watched narrowly by the and the method recurs in the through a flight of stairs and a rich skirmish from the older Yard. All the poor man wants is new piece about a once-stately deal door: he can visualise his Aldwych world, and for the the right amount of treacle for home, an impoverished heir, and work as it will be in perfor- presence of Steeth and Sim. If I his tom says so frequently a jewel-case.

mance, and he knows to a hair ant allowed to coin a phrase, 0 but it is a hard life for the It is wrong to summarise any the effect this line or the other rare Ben Travers! 200 YEARS AGO It is said that the reason for refusing a certain great man's resignation was because it was thought necessary to have one man of sense among those who have the management of affairs. Aria's Birmingham Gesette, November. Intl. 100 YEARS AGO SO YEARS AGO Sir Richard Mayne now At a luncheon given in he has settled the metro9o ll Parts to affirm the boonomic tan dogs has ordered a raid union of the Allies. Sir John upon children's hoops.

We are told that some thou- Pitts (president Of the ands of boys' and Cris' British Chamber of Commerce hoops, pounced upon es they were being bowled along the in Paris) advocated an Interstreet. are now to be found AI at the different police stations customs union. in the metropolis. Pia The Ihretteeheet Poet. No- Birmingham Daily Post.

November 2. 1868. vember 2. 1818..