BROADCASTING FEATURING WEBSTER BOOTH (1938 - 1945)

HOLIDAY IN EUROPE - National Programme Daventry, 9 January 1938 21.30

A pot-pourri written for broadcasting by Julius Buerger, with Gaby Valle (soprano), Webster Booth (tenor),

Rae Jenkins and his Schrammel Quartet

The BBC Chorus (Section C)

The BBC Theatre Orchestra Leader, Tate Gilder.

Produced and conducted by Stanford Robinson.

This programme pictures in an hour's non-stop music a holiday to fit with an itinerary including Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Tyrol, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, and Russia

THE STOKE-ON-TRENT CHORAL SOCIETY - Regional Programme Midland, 12 February 1938 19.30

Kate Winter (soprano), Webster Booth (tenor), Stanley Pope (baritone), David Franklin (bass)
The City of Birmingham Orchestra

Leader, Alfred Cave
Conducted by E. C. Redfern from the Victoria Hall, Hanley
Parts 1 and 2 of The Childhood of Christ by Berlioz

Stoke-on-Trent Choral Society, founded in 1909, has given concerts regularly for eighteen seasons. On two occasions the choir has sung under the baton of Sir Henry Wood. The two hundred members of the Society are connected chiefly with the pottery industry. Their enthusiasm can be gauged from the fact that many of them live as far as twelve miles away from the hall where the rehearsals take place.

THE BRISTOL ROYAL ORPHEUS GLEE SOCIETY - Regional Programme Western, 17 February 1938 20.10

Conductor, Graham Harris.

 Webster Booth (tenor)

from the Colston Hall , Bristol

THE LIFE OF OFFENBACH - National Programme Daventry, 27 February 1938 21.25 - A pot-pourri of music by Jacques Offenbach devised by Julius Buerger

Production by Stanford Robinson

Geoffrey Dunn , and Rex Haworth, Ruth Naylor (soprano), Pauline Maunder (contralto), Webster Booth (tenor), Richard Watson (bass)

Narration written and spoken by Wilfrid Rooke Ley

The BBC Chorus (Section C)

The BBC Theatre Orchestra

Leader, Tate Gilder

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

28th February 1938
Regional
9.15 I REMEMBER, presented by Percy Edgar; Marjorie Westbury (Soprano); Webster Booth (Tenor); The BBC Midland Orchestra and Singers.

KATINKA Regional Programme Midland, 19 March 1938 21.00 -

A Musical Play - Book and lyrics by Otto Hauerback

Music by Rudolf Friml

Adapted for the microphone by Reginald Burston and Martyn C. Webster
The Midland Revue Orchestra

Leader, Norris Stanley

The Midland Revue Chorus

Conducted by Reginald Burston

Production by Martyn C. Webster

Boris Strogoff, Russian Ambassador to Austria: John Lang
Katinka, his bride: Helen Crerar
Petrov, an old servant to Boris: Stuart Vinden
Varenka, Katinka's maid: Dorothy Summers
Tatiana, Katinka's mother: Mary Pollock
Ivan Dimitre, Katinka's former sweetheart, Webster Booth

Thaddeus Hopper, a wealthy American: Fred Duprez

Halif, a Circassian slave-trader: Warwick Vaughan

Knopf, manager of the Cafe-Turkoisin-Vienna: Clive Selborne

Arif Bey, warden of Izzet Pasha's harem: Lester Mudditt

Olga (Nashan), first wife to Boris: Dorothy Paul

M Pierre, porter at Hotel Riche, Constantinople: Warwick Vaughan

Mrs Helen Hopper, Thaddeus Hopper's wife: Marjorie Westbury

OVERTURE AND BEGINNERS, PLEASE! No. 2 - National Programme Daventry, 10 April 1938 21.50

A programme arranged and produced by Gordon McConnel in collaboration with Gwen Williams
Jean Colin (soprano), Esther Coleman (mezzo-contralto), Webster Booth (tenor), Arnold Matters (baritone)

Four Singers from the BBC Chorus

The BBC Theatre Orchestra
Leader, Tate Gilder

DANCE CABARET - Regional Programme Western, 21 April 1938 21.15

from the Royal Bath Hotel Ballroom, Bournemouth
Douglas Byng the stage and cabaret star

Jane Carr stage, screen, and radio favourite

Webster Booth the romantic tenor

Anne Ziegler the lyric soprano

Arthur Askey comedian and compere

and dance to Billy Bissett and his Canadians with THE CANADIAN CAPERS and ALICE MANN

 

DANCE CABARET - Regional Programme Western, 29 June 1938 20.45

from the Royal Bath Hotel Ballroom, Bournemouth

Claude Dampier, The Professional Idiot

Assisted by Billie Carlyle

Webster Booth, The Romantic Tenor

Davy Burnaby and Michael North

The Carlyle Cousins In Close Harmony

Al Bowlly, Britain's Ambassador of Song

 and dance to Billy Thorburn and his Music with Eddie Gurey

The Billy Boys.

Billy Thorburn , who provides the dancing in this programme allows no brass in his band, and conducts without a baton from his pianist's stool.

Rarely before have so many famous artists been together in a West of England cabaret. Of special interest is the appearance of Webster Booth, the tenor who has delighted critics with his singing at Covent Garden this season in The Magic Flute and Der Rosenkavalier.

 

9th April 1938
Sunday
9.35 OVERTURE AND BEGINNERS, PLEASE NO 2, a programme arranged and produced by Gordon McConnell in collaboration with Gwen Williams The Singers: Jean Colin (Soprano); Esther Coleman (Mezzo-Contralto); Webster Booth (Tenor); Arnold Matters (Baritone); Four Singers from the BBC Chorus; the BBC Orchestra, conducted by Harold Lowe.

HERO AND HEROINE - National Programme Daventry, 14 May 1938 21.35

A programme of songs and duets from famous operettas arranged by Gwen Williams and Stanford Robinson

The BBC Theatre Orchestra

Leader, Tate Gilder

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

Maria Elsner (soprano), Webster Booth (tenor)

ORGANESTRA - National Programme Daventry, 27 May 1938 18.40

A Programme for Theatre Organ and Variety Orchestra

Presented by Charles Shadwell and Reginald Foort

Webster Booth (tenor)

Anne and Webster (Radio Pictorial -1938)

THEATRE COMPOSERS No. 2 - National Programme Daventry, 26 June 1938 21.05  FRANZ LEHAR - The Man and his Music

A programme arranged by M. Willson Disher

Music selected by Mark H. Lubbock

Production by Gordon McConnel

Dennis Noble, Betty Huntley-Wright, Webster Booth, Hella Langdon

Compere, Bertram Wallis

The Rae Jenkins Trio

The BBC Theatre Chorus and the BBC Theatre Orchestra

(Leader, Tate Gilder )
Conductor, Stanford Robinson

DANCE CABARET - Regional Programme Western, 29 June 1938 20.45

from the Royal Bath Hotel Ballroom, Bournemouth

Claude Dampier, The Professional Idiot

Assisted by Billie Carlyle

Webster Booth, The Romantic Tenor

Davy Burnaby and Michael North

The Carlyle Cousins In Close Harmony

Al Bowlly, Britain's Ambassador of Song

 and dance to Billy Thorburn and his Music with Eddie Gurey

The Billy Boys.

Billy Thorburn , who provides the dancing in this programme allows no brass in his band, and conducts without a baton from his pianist's stool.

Rarely before have so many famous artists been together in a West of England cabaret. Of special interest is the appearance of Webster Booth, the tenor who has delighted critics with his singing at Covent Garden this season in The Magic Flute and Der Rosenkavalier.

27th August 1938 - National  Sunday 11.30 Charles Ernesco and his Quintet, with Webster Booth

LANDMARKS IN ENGLISH MUSIC-2 - Regional Programme Midland, 6 September 1938 21.45

Purcell-1688 Arranged by Alexander Brent-Smith and presented by W. K. Stanton Marjorie Westbury (soprano), Webster Booth (tenor), Margaret Ablethorpe pianoforte)

The BBC Midland Singers - Chorus Master, Edgar Morgan

The BBC Midland Orchestra

Leader, Alfred Cave

Conducted by Leslie Heward

The illustrations are all by Purcell, except where otherwise indicated.

Trio, Sweet Tyranesse

WEBSTER BOOTH AND MARGARET ABLETHORPE

What shall I do?

MARJORIE WESTBURY AND MARGARET ABLETHORPE

I attempt from love's sickness to fly (The Indian Queen)

MARJORIE WESTBURY, WEBSTER BOOTH, AND MARGARET ABLETHORPE

Sound the trumpet,

STRING ORCHESTRA

Cobell

MARJORIE WESTBURY AND ORCHESTRA

Fairest Isle (King Arthur)

WEBSTER BOOTH, SINGERS, AND ORCHESTRA

How blest are shepherds (King Arthur)

MARJORIE WESTBURY, SINGERS, AND ORCHESTRA

Thy hand, Belinda /When I am laid in earth, With drooping wings ye cupids come (Dido and Aeneas)

SINGERS AND ORCHESTRA

Soul of the World (Ode on St. Cecilia's Day)

WEBSTER BOOTH AND ORCHESTRA

When a cruel long winter (The Faery Queen)

SINGERS AND ORCHESTRA

Hail, great parent (The Faery Queen)

MARJORIE WESTBURY AND ORCHESTRA

Hark, the echoing air (The Faery Queen)

MARJORIE WESTBURY, SINGERS, AND ORCHESTRA

If love's a sweet passion (The Faery Queen)

ORCHESTRA

Monkey's Dance (The Faery Queen)

SONGS I LIKE - Regional Programme Midland, 14 September 1938 20.30

Webster Booth (tenor)

Webster Booth began his career in the Midlands, where he sang in a church choir until his voice broke. He started business in an accountant's office, but took up singing as a profession after having a successful audition with the D'Oyly Cartes in Birmingham. His contribution to Songs I Like will be repeated on the National wavelength tomorrow.

THEATRE COMPOSERS No. 3 - Regional Programme London, 25 September 1938 21.05 - Andre Messager - The Man and his Music

A programme arranged by M. Willson Disher

Music selected by Mark H. Lubbock

Production by Gordon McConnel

Stella Andreva (coloratura-soprano), Webster Booth (tenor), Morgan Davies (baritone), Linda Parker (soprano)

Compere, Bertram Wallis

The Rae Jenkins Trio

The BBC Theatre Chorus and the BBC Theatre Orchestra, leader Tate Gilder. Conductor, Stanford Robinson

28th September 1938 - Webster Booth sings with Charles Ernesco and his Quintet in the Scottish National programme at 6.25.
8.0 COFFEE AND MUSIC: an after-dinner entertainment presented by Doris Arnold, with Margaret Eaves, Webster Booth and Allan Paul.
10.0 MOVIE MELODIES: a selection of songs from the films, presented by Roy Speer, with Betty Huntley-Wright, Webster Booth, Diana Clare, Sam Costa, with the BBC Revue Chorus, the BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Charles Shadwell.

HUGH THE DROVER - Regional Programme London, 1 November 1938 20.30

or Love in the Stocks - A romantic ballad opera in two acts

Libretto by Harold Child

Music by R. Vaughan Williams
The BBC Theatre Chorus, The BBC Theatre Orchestra Leader, Tate Gilder, Conductor, Stanford Robinson

Narration written by Wilfrid Rooke Ley, spoken by Kaye Seeley Production by Stanford Robinson , in collaboration with Gordon McConnel , Rex Haworth, and Charles Groves

By the time Vaughan Williams had finished his first opera, Hugh the Drover, in 1914, he had written the Sea Symphony, the London Symphony, the song-cycle On Wenlock Edge, and the Tallis Fantasia. His attention was turned at that time to folk song. and Hugh the Drover is full of that kind of music.

Like Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov and Smetana's Bartered Bride, Vaughan Williams’s  Hugh the Drover is a national opera. Its background is a great historical fact, the threatened invasion of England by Napoleon. The characters are the common people of the country, and the customs of folk life enter naturally into the story.

The Constable: Samuel Worthington

Mary (his daughter): Rose Alper

Aunt Jane (his sister): Gladys Palmer

John the Butcher (betrothed to Mary): Redvers Llewellyn

Hugh the Drover: Webster Booth

Turnkey: Powell Lloyd

Showman: Robert Irwin

Cheap Jack: Stearn Scott

Shell-Fish Seller: James Bond

Primrose Seller: Marjory Grant

Ballad Seller: Reginald Mitchell

Sergeant: John Hargreaves

THE CREATION 9th November 1938. Broadcast from Town Hall, Birmingham (from Webster's score)

GENERAL RELEASE - Regional Programme Midland, 14 November 1938 21.30

Songs from the current films with Marjery Wyn, Webster Booth, We Three

The Midland Revue Orchestra.Leader,

Norris Stanley

Conductor, Reginald Burston

Compere, Martyn C. Webster

26th November 1938 - 7.0 HUGH THE DROVER, or LOVE IN THE STOCKS, a romantic ballad opera in two acts; libretto by Harold Child: music by R Vaughan Williams; narration written by Wilfrid Rooke Ley, spoken by Kaye Seely, produced by Stanford Robinson (in collaboration with Gordon McConnel, Rex Haworth and Charles Groves), with Samuel Worthington, Rose Alper, Gladys Palmer, Redvers Llewellyn, Webster Booth, Powell Lloyd, Robert Irwin, Stearn Scott, James Bond, Marjery Grant, Reginald Mitchell, John Hargreaves, The BBC Theatre Chorus; the BBC Theatre Orchestra; Conductor, Stanford Robinson.

THE HALLE SOCIETY'S CONCERT - Regional Programme Midland, 22 December 1938 19.30 from the Free Trade Hall, Manchester.

Messiah, The oratorio by Handel -Part I

Isobel Baillie (soprano), Muriel Brunskill (contralto), Webster Booth (tenor), Keith Falkner (bass)

The Halle Chorus - Chorus master, Herman Brearley

The Halle Orchestra  - Leader, Alfred Barker

Conducted by Malcolm Sargent

23 December 1938 - (668 Kc/s) Northern (449.1 M) - 7.30 MESSIAH, the oratorio by Handel Part 1; The Hallé Chorus, chorus master Herman Brearley; The HalléOrchestra, conducted by Malcolm Sargent; Isobel Baillie (Soprano); Muriel Brunskill (Contralto); Webster Booth (Tenor); Keith Falkner (Bass), from the Free Trade Hall, Manchester.
9.5- During the Interval: The Messiah in the Industrial North, by WL Wilmshurst.
9.20pm MESSIAH, by Handel, Part 2. The Hallé Orchestra, conducted by Malcolm Sargent: Isobel Baillie (Soprano), Muriel Brunskill (contralto), Webster Booth(tenor), Keith Falkner (Bass) from the Free Trade Hall, Manchester.

31st December 1938, Saturday 12.30 12.45pm Gramophone records, Webster Booth (Tenor), Joan Cross (Soprano) with Chorus of Sadlers Wells opera.

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC - BBC Home Service Basic, 4 January 1939 22.35

played by the BBC Theatre Orchestra (leader, Tate Gilder )

Conductor, Stanford Robinson, with Gwen Catley and Webster Booth

Wilfrid Parry and Charles Groves (pianofortes) and the BBC Theatre Chorus (trained by Charles Groves )                            Gwen Catley

LAKME - Regional Programme London, 17 January 1939 20.00

An opera by Leo Delibes, Libretto by E. Gondinet and F. Gille. English version by Claude Aveling

The BBC Theatre Chorus, the BBC Theatre Orchestra, leader Tate Gilder , conductor Stanford Robinson

Narration written by Wilfrid Rooke Ley

Production by Stanford Robinson in collaboration with Gordon McConnel , Rex Haworth , and Charles Groves

British Officers: Gerald: Webster Booth

Frederic: John Hargreaves

Nilakanta, a Brahmin priest: Harold Williams

Lakme, Nilakanta's daughter: Stella Andreva

Mallika, Lakme's attendant: Mae Craven

THE BBC ORCHESTRA - National Programme Daventry, 29 January 1939 17.20

(Section E) Led by Marie Wilson

Conducted by Warwick Braithwaite

Webster Booth (tenor)

CHARLES ERNESCO  AND HIS QUINTET -  National Programme Daventry, 22 February 1939 13.00 with Webster Booth.

Charles Ernesco studied the violin at the Guildhall School of Music under Max Mossel and got his first engagement at the age of twenty as an extra in the London Symphony Orchestra at the Leeds Festival of 1925. For five or six years he played at Covent Garden during the International Season. Then in 1934 he formed his popular Quintet, which still consists of its original members.

His vocalist, Webster Booth, is also no stranger to Covent Garden; as the tenor in Der Rosenkavalier last year, he scored a remarkable success. He is equally at home in concert-party work and in Handel, and listeners will specially remember his fine singing in such radio opera productions as Lakme and Hugh the Drover.

Ivor Novello and Mary Ellis in GLAMOROUS NIGHT - Regional Programme London, 9 March 1939 18.00

A romantic play with music by Ivor Novello

Orchestrations by Charles Prentice. Lyrics by Christopher Hassall. Radio adaptation by V. C. Clinton-Baddeley

The BBC Theatre Chorus (trained by Charles Groves )

The BBC Theatre Orchestra (leader, Tate Gilder )

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

Produced by Hedley Briggs in collaboration with Mark H Lubbock and George Lestrange

Technical Production, Rex Haworth

Mr Allen -: Harvey Braban
Mrs Allen: Fanny Wright
Anthony Allen: Ivor Novello
A Waiter: Eric Anderson
A Footman: Eric Anderson
Ship's Purser: Eric Anderson
Militza Hajos: Mary Ellis
Lorenti: Webster Booth

King Stefan of Krasnia: Robert Andrews

Phoebe: Minnie Rayner
Baron Lydyeff: Gerald Lawrence

Cleo Wellington: Elizabeth Welch

The Foreign Gentleman: Leo de Pokorny

The Young Officer: Eric Micklewood

JOHANN STRAUSS-1825-1899 - Regional Programme London, 13 March 1939 21.00 A Pot-Pourri by Julius Buerger

Gwen Catley (coloratura soprano), Hella Toros (soprano), Nancy Evans (contralto), Webster Booth (tenor), Dennis Noble (baritone),

Pianists: Wilfrid Parry, Arthur Sandford

Rae Jenkins and his Schrammel Quartet

The BBC Theatre Chorus

The BBC Theatre Orchestra

Leader, Tate Gilder

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

This pot-pourri-by the compiler of The Empire Sings, The Life of Offenbach, Holiday in Europe, and Themes of London - was first broadcast in November, 1936, but has now been considerably rewritten. It traces the long and successful career of Johann Strauss from his first concert in 1844 to his death fifty-five years later.

ORCHESTRAL AND VOCAL CONCERT - National Programme Daventry, 28 March 1939 15.00 Excerpts from The Magic Flute by Mozart

Translation by E. J. Dent

The BBC Theatre Orchestra,

Leader, Tate Gilder

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

Programme introduced by F. H. Grisewood

Papageno, the bird-catcher (baritone): Arnold Matters

Papagena (soprano): Lorely Dyer

Tamino, an Egyptian prince (tenor): Webster Booth

Sarastro, the High Priest (bass): Norman Allin

Monostatos, a Moor (tenor): Webster Booth

The Queen of Night (soprano): Gwen Catley

SATURDAY AT NINE-FORTY - National Programme Daventry, 1 April 1939 21.40

The Story of the Ballad with Olive Groves (soprano), Webster Booth (tenor), Arnold Matters (baritone)

The BBC Theatre Orchestra

Leader, Tate Gilder

The programme arranged and conducted by Mark H. Lubbock

THE EXETER MALE VOICE CHOIR - Regional Programme Western, 14 April 1939 20.00 Conductor, W. J. Cotton

Webster Booth (tenor)

from the Barnfield Hall, Exeter

GYPSY LOVE - Regional Programme London, 20 April 1939 20.45

Adapted for broadcasting from the English book by Basil Hood . The original German libretto by A. M. Willner and Robert Bodanzky. English lyrics by Adrian Ross. Music by Franz Lehar

(Violin solos by Rae Jenkins )

The BBC Theatre Chorus (trained by Charles Groves ),

The BBC Theatre Orchestra (leader, Tate Gilder )

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

Adaptation and production by Gordon McConnel

Ilona, Dragotin's daughter: Hella Toros

Jolan, Dragotin's niece: Billie Baker

Jozsi, a Gypsy musician: Dennis Noble

Count Dragotin, a Ruritanian nobleman: Horace Percival

Jonel, betrothed to Ilona: Webster Booth

Kajetan, a shy young man: Dudley Rolph

Lady Babby, an English lady: Sybil Evers

Andor, an innkeeper: Kenneth Ellis

Zorika, a Gypsy girl: Margaret Schlegel

THE BBC THEATRE ORCHESTRA - National Programme Daventry, 16 May 1939 21.45

Leader, Tate Gilder

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

Webster Booth (tenor)

Cyril Smith (pianoforte)

CONCERT on RADIO EIREANN Friday in May 1939 - Mansion House, Dublin. Webster Booth was guest artiste at a concert.

DANCE CABARET - National Programme Daventry, 21 July 1939 21.30

from the Polygon Hotel, Southampton

Ted Ray - Fiddling and fooling

Webster Booth - The romantic tenor

Beryl Orde - Impressions

C. Denier Warren - The stage and film comedian

and dance to Fred Ballerini and his Dance Band

Presented by Leslie Bridgmont

JAN BERENSKA AND HIS ORCHESTRA - Regional Programme Midland, 26 July 1939 18.00 Webster Booth (tenor) from the Pump Room, Leamington Spa

26th August 1939 – Scottish 9.50 The BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Charles Shadwell, Webster Booth (Tenor)

3rd September to December 1939. - At the outbreak of war Webster Booth was appointed to the BBC staff as singer, together with Tommy Handley, Vera Lennox, Ernest Longstaffe, Sam Costa, Charles Shadwell, Doris Arnold, Betty Huntley-Wright,Leonard Henry and others.

SONGS FROM THE SHOWS - BBC Home Service Basic, 6 September 1939 22.00

with John Rorke, Betty Huntley-Wright, Webster Booth, C. Denier Warren

The BBC Variety Orchestra

Leader, Frank Cantell

Conducted by Charles Shadwell and the BBC Revue Chorus

Compere, John Watt

Songs from the Shows, a series first produced in 1931, like Tennyson's brook, goes on for ever. True it changed its title sometimes to Songs from the Films, giving listeners a radio version of The Three Little Pigs in 1934, which paved the way for the Silly Symphonies.

The series embraced modern shows and went back to Hullo, Ragtime, to the old Gaiety favourites, and even farther. It broke out in sub series-theatres, composers-and maintained its popularity to such an extent that it still goes on. Whatever shows may be chosen tonight listeners may be sure that such artists as Betty Huntley-Wright, Webster Booth, John Rorke , and C. Denier Warren will put the songs over.

THE BALLAD MONGER - BBC Home Service Basic, 6 September 1939 17.30

Sidney Burchall, Wynne Ajello, Esther Coleman, Webster Booth,

The Male Voice Quartet

At the pianos, Ivor Dennis and Alan Paul

Presented by Martyn C. Webster
The Ballad-Monger introducing songs old and new made his début with the mazagine programme Roundabout in May this year and became one of its most popular features. Tonight he is to appear in a programme on his own with a very strong support from popular radio favourites.

SWEET SERENADE - BBC Home Service Basic, 7 September 1939 19.10

with Wynne Ajello, Webster Booth, The Five Serenaders

Presented by Douglas Lawrence

8 October 1939 - 8.30 SING SONG, a programme of variety and community singing: produced by Ernest Longstaffe, with Leonard Henry, John Rorke, Gwen Lewis, Sydney Burchall, and Webster Booth and Betty Huntley Wright (duets), The BBC Revue Chorus, The BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Ernest Longstaffe.

MOVIE MELODIES - BBC Home Service Basic, 9 September 1939 17.30

A selection of songs you remember from the films you saw.

Betty Huntley-Wright, Webster Booth, Diana Clare, Sam Costa

The BBC Revue Chorus with the BBC Variety Orchestra (leader, Frank Cantell ), conducted by Charles Shadwell

Presented by Roy Speer

VARIETY HALF-HOUR - BBC Home Service Basic, 11 September 1939 20.30

with Leonard Henry , Gwen Lewis , Arthur Sandford , Webster Booth

The BBC Revue Chorus and the BBC Variety Orchestra (leader Frank Cantell ), conducted by Charles Shadwell

Presented by Archie Campbell

SONGS FROM THE SHOWS - BBC Home Service Basic, 14 September 1939 20.30

with John Rorke , Margaret Eaves , Webster Booth, and C. Denier Warren

The BBC Variety Orchestra (leader, Frank Cantell ),

conducted by Charles Shadwell,

and the BBC Revue Chorus

Compere, John Watt

18th September 1939 - 8.0 COFFEE AND MUSIC: an after-dinner entertainment presented by Doris Arnold, with Margaret Eaves, Webster Booth and Alan Paul

MOVIE MELODIES - BBC Home Service Basic, 18 September 1939 22.00

A selection of songs you remember from the films you saw sung by Betty Huntley-Wright , Webster Booth, Diana Clare , Sam Costa , the BBC Revue Chorus and The BBC Variety Orchestra, (leader, Frank Cantell ), conducted by Charles Shadwell
Presented by Roy Speer

SONGS FROM THE SHOWS - BBC Home Service Basic, 20 September 1939 21.30

with John Rorke , Wynne Ajello , Webster Booth, and C. Denier Warren

The BBC Variety Orchestra (leader, Frank Cantell)

BBC Revue Chorus

 conducted by Charles Shadwell

Compere, John Watt

23rd September 1939 - 7.15 THE BALLAD MONGER, with another batch of songs, old and new, presented by Martyn C Webster, with Sydney Burchall, Wynne Ajello, Esther Coleman and Webster Booth

WHERE THERE'S A WALTZ! - BBC Home Service Basic, 27 September 1939 22.45

A cavalcade of waltz music-old and new.

 Margaret Eaves, Esther Coleman ,Webster Booth, Dudley Rolph, and others

The BBC Revue Chorus and the BBC Variety Orchestra

conducted by Charles Shadwell

The programme presented by Ronald Waldman

THE BALLAD-MONGER - BBC Home Service Basic, 28 September 1939 17.00

with another batch of songs both old and new with Sidney Burchall, Elsie Otley, Esther Coleman, Webster Booth

Presented by Martyn C. Webster

28th September 1939 - 7.45 SONGS FROM THE SHOWS, with Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge; Wynne Ajello; Webster Booth; Pat Taylor; Stanley Riley; and C Denier Warren; The BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Charles Shadwell, The BBC Revue Chorus; compere John Watt.

29th September 1939 - 9.30 MOVIE MELODIES, a selection of songs from films, sung by Betty Huntley-Wright, Webster Booth, Pat Taylor and Sam Costa; The BBC Revue Chorus and the BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Charles Shadwell.

2nd October 1939 - 7.0 30 MOVIE MELODIES , a selection of songs from films, sung by Betty Huntley-Wright and Webster Booth; The BBC Revue Chorus and the BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Charles Shadwell.

8.0 SONGS FROM THE SHOWS, with Evelyn Laye, Webster Booth, Sidney Burchall, C Denier Warren, Doris Hare, and the BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Charles Shadwell; the BBC Revue Chorus; Compere, John Watt.

10.45 A song recital by Webster Booth (Tenor)

6th October 1939 - LOVE IN BLOOM, a programme of love songs sung by Webster Booth, Diana Clare, Betty Huntley-Wright, presented by David Porter.

MOVIE MELODIES - BBC Home Service Basic, 9 October 1939 20.00

A selection of songs you remember from the films you saw sung by artists you know including:Betty Huntley-Wright , Webster Booth , Alan Breeze

The BBC Revue Chorus and The BBC Variety Orchestra

(leader, Frank Cantell )

Conducted by Charles Shadwell

Compere, David Porter

Presented by Roy Speer

GERALDO - BBC Home Service Basic, 15 October 1939 21.30

conducting the augmented BBC Variety Orchestra in a programme of popular music with Webster Booth

16th October 1939 - 3.30 SWEET SERENADE, presented by Douglas Lawrence, with Wynne Ajello, Webster Booth, and the Orchestra

MOVIE MELODIES – BBC Home Service Basic, 16 October 1939 16.30

The sixth and last edition of songs you remember sung by artists you know, including Betty Huntley-Wright, Webster Booth, Denny Dennis and the Cavendish Three

The BBC Revue Chorus and the BBC Variety Orchestra (leader Frank Cantell ), conducted by Charles Shadwell

Compere, David Porter, Presented by Roy Speer

SING IT THROUGH - BBC Home Service Basic, 1 November 1939 22.40

and don't forget the chorus! Written by Ernest Longstaffe and Leonard Henry. No. 6 of the popular get together series with Leonard Henry and Webster Booth The BBC Revue Chorus and the BBC Variety Orchestra  Produced and conducted by Ernest Longstaffe

SWING SONG - BBC Home Service Basic, 22 November 1939 10.30

with A. H. Morgan 's Rhythmic Sextet, Webster Booth, and the Three Minx
Presented by Leslie Bridgmont

LOVE IN BLOOM - BBC Home Service Basic, 4 December 1939 15.00

A programme of love songs sung by Webster Booth, Betty Huntley-Wright , Dorothy Carless, and Denny Dennis, with the BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Hyam Greenbaum

Compere, James Dyrenforth

Presented by David Porte

MUSIC IN THE EVENING - BBC Home Service Basic, 15 January 1940 18.35 with Alan Paul  - A programme of music of a quiet nature .Singers: Dorothy Carless, Three in Harmony, Webster Booth

The Players: Jean Pougnet , David Wise, Frederick Riddle, Anthony Pini , Victor Watson , John Cockerill , Arthur Gleghorn , Leon Goossens, Reginald Kell , Andrew Walkowski , Dennis Gomm

All arrangements by Alan Paul, devised and presented by John Burnaby and Alan Paul

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC - BBC Home Service Basic, 17 January 1940 23.00

Selected by Mark H. Lubbock and played by the BBC Theatre Orchestra - leader, Tate Gilder,conductor, Stanford Robinson

Gwen Catley ,Webster Booth,

Wilfrid Parry and Charles Gloves (pianofortes),

the Alfredo Campoli Trio

BBC Theatre Chorus (trained by Charles Groves)

SATURDAY AT NINE-THIRTY' - BBC Home Service Basic, 27 January 1940 21.30

The story of the Popular Song with Marjorie Westbury, Webster Booth, John Rorke

The BBC Theatre Chorus (trained by Charles Groves)

The BBC Theatre Orchestra (leader, Tate Gilder )

The programme presented and conducted by Mark H. Lubbock

SATURDAY AT NINE-THIRTY - BBC Home Service Basic, 3 February 1940 21.30

Evelyn Dall (by permission of Bert Ambrose), Webster Booth, and John Bentley in General Release - Songs from current and forthcoming film issues

with the Radio Graces, the BBC Theatre Chorus (trained by Charles Groves ),

BBC Theatre Orchestra (leader, Tate Gilder )

The programme arranged and conducted by Reginald Burston

Compere, Hugh Morton

Keen filmgoers, as well as many other listeners, will be interested to know that for this programme Reginald Burston has persuaded the producers and Jack Hylton to release the original scores of the new Band Waggon film, and Alexander Korda has released the original score of the incidental music for The Four Feathers.

Another point of interest about the production is that Evelyn Dall , the popular dance-band vocalist, is entering a new field, so far as sound broadcasting is concerned.

THE STORY OF THE POPULAR SONG - Forces Programme, 21 February 1940 21.45  Devised and written by M. Willson Disher

with Marjorie Westbury, Webster Booth, John Rorke

The BBC Theatre Chorus (Trained by Charles Groves)
The BBC Theatre Orchestra (Leader, Tate Gilder )
The programme presented and conducted by Mark H. Lubbock

SATURDAY AT NINE-THIRTY-FIVE - BBC Home Service Basic, 13 April 1940 21.35

Listeners' Request Night with Webster Booth

The BBC Theatre Orchestra

Leader, Tate Gilder
Conducted by Harold Lowe

WILD VIOLETS - BBC Home Service Basic, 1 May 1940 21.35

A musical comedy/operetta by Bruno Hardt Warden

The music by Robert Stolz

Adapted for broadcasting from the English version by Holt Marvell, Hassard Short, Desmond Carter, and Reginald Purdell

The BBC Theatre Chorus (trained by Charles Groves)

The BBC Theatre Orchestra, Leader, Tate Gilder

Conducted by Reginald Burston, Production by Martyn C. Webster.

Wild Violets was originally produced at Drury Lane in 1932. Set in Switzerland and involving all the best ingredients of melody and romance, it has one of the most tuneful scores written for the theatre during recent years, as most will agree who remember such numbers as You, just you, A girl has got my heart, and Don't say good-bye.

Augusta: Dorothy Paul

Hans: Ernest Butcher

Greta, their daughter: Meg Titheradge

Otto Bergmann: Frank Drew,

Paul Hoffman: Webster Booth

Carl Hoffman, Paul's son: Dudley Rolph

Erik Schmidt: Patrick Waddington

Madame Hoffman, Headmistress of the Chateau Violette: Dorothy Summers Mile. Yvonne Duprez, assistant mistress at the Chateau: Yvette Damac

Liesel: Marjorie Westbury

Mitzi: Billie Baker

Lena: Helen Crerar

Augusta, maid at the Chateau: Dorothy Paul

Hans, her sweetheart: Ernest Butcher

Mary Rutherford, the new girl from England: Heather Boys

Algernon Rutherford, her grandfather: Edgar Norfolk

Dr. Franck, music-master at the Chateau: John Morley

The narrator: Stuart Vinden

You, Just You, Ray Noble and Al Bowlly

OVERSEAS SERVICE from Autumn 1940. During the war Anne and Webster did many overseas forces broadcasts, usually in the early hours of the morning.

21st October 1940 Programme for the forces. 11.0 William Murdoch (Piano), Webster Booth (Tenor), Josef Hassid (Violin), Bruce Dargavel (Baritone)

GRAND CONCERT - Forces Programme, 8 December 1940 16.00

for members of H.M. Forces (with their sweethearts and wives) given by The BBC Salon Orchestra

Leader, Jean Pougnet

Conductor, Leslie Bridgewater
Margaret Eaves, Helen Clare, Webster Booth,

and Fredric Bayco at the organ.

 Introduced by Lionel Gamlin

From a West-Country concert hall

MESSIAH - BBC Home Service Basic, 17 December 1940 18.55

The first part of the oratorio by Handel.

A performance by the Huddersfield Choral Society - Chorus Master, Herbert Bardgett.

Janet Hamilton-Smith (soprano), Maud Heaton (contralto), Webster Booth (tenor), Keith Falkner (bass)
The Society's Orchestra, Leader, Reginald Stead.

Conductor, Malcolm Sargent,

From a Northern concert hall

There are several reasons for the traditional popularity of Messiah in the North: first, the choruses offer a unique blend of opportunities for great team-work and, in the many magnificent runs and crescendos, for showing off. Secondly, from the religious point of view the plain-spoken chapel-going North welcomes, perhaps subconsciously, the Protestant theology of the oratorio, the familiar words of which are all taken direct from the Bible. Thirdly, the North likes it because it knows it so well and so thoroughly just in the same way that many thousands of people like Gilbert and Sullivan. It is said that familiarity breeds contempt, but it is impossible for anyone to have contempt for such a masterpiece as Messiah.

Part 2 of Messiah will be broadcast next Sunday at 4.15 by the Halle Society conducted by Dr. Malcolm Sargent. 

COMFORT YE/EV'RY VALLEY from MESSIAH

MESSIAH - BBC Home Service Basic, 22 December 1940 16.15

The second part of the oratorio by Handel.

A performance by the Hallé Concerts Society

Isobel Baillie (soprano), Gladys Ripley (contralto), Webster Booth (tenor), Norman Walker (bass)

Hallé Chorus

Hallé Orchestra - Leader, Laurance Turner

Conducted by Malcolm Sargent from a Northern concert hall

WINTER GARDEN ORCHESTRA - Forces Programme, 9 January 1941 16.00

under the direction of Tom Jenkins with Webster Booth in a tea-time programme.

Birmingham-born Webster Booth began his professional life as an accountant. When he was eighteen he met Richard Wassell , then conductor of the City of Birmingham Orchestra, who thought highly of his voice and taught him at the Midland Institute. Booth joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1923 and stayed with them for four years. He then settled in London, where he made a name for himself in leading stage roles and also in big musical films. He sang at Covent Garden in the International Opera Season, and has also appeared for most of the principal London and provincial choral and orchestral societies.

SPRING SERENADE - BBC Home Service Basic, 22 March 1941 15.45

with Gwen Catley, Webster Booth, Appleton Moore

BBC Theatre Chorus trained by Charles Groves

BBC Theatre Orchestra  - Leader, Tate Gilder

Programme arranged, and conducted by Reginald Burston

Compere, Desmond Davis

WHAT MANCHESTER THINKS TODAY - BBC Home Service Basic, 7 May 1941 21.20 A second musically illustrated review of some Manchester first nights from Tom Jones (1907) to Happy Birthday (1940).

The programme compiled by S. R. Littlewood.

Arranged and produced by Gordon McConnel.

Joan Hammond, Webster Booth, Billie Baker, Bobbie Comber, The Three Radio Graces.

BBC Theatre Chorus Trained by Charles Groves.

BBC Theatre Orchestra - Leader, Tate Gilder

Conducted by Reginald Burston

Compere, Wilfred Pickles

BBC THEATRE ORCHESTRA - BBC Home Service Basic, 2 June 1941 21.20

Leader, Tate Gilder, Conducted by Harold Lowe, with Webster Booth (tenor)

 When Webster Booth was eighteen he met Richard Wassell , then conductor of the City of Birmingham Orchestra, who thought highly of his voice and taught him at the Midland Institute. Booth joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1923 and stayed with them for four years. He has sung at Covent Garden in the International Opera season, and has also appeared for most of the principal London *and provincial choral and orchestral' societies.

THE ARTIST'S CHOICE - Forces Programme, 8 December 1941 16.55

Music chosen by Webster Booth, Sir Adrian Boult, Dennis Noble, and Egon Petri, with the reasons for their choice. Presented on gramophone records by Herbert C. Ridout

HUGH THE DROVER - BBC Home Service Basic, 6 May 1942 20.00

Romantic ballad opera by R. Vaughan Williams. Libretto by Harold Child. Produced by Stanford Robinson and Mark H. Lubbock

BBC Theatre Chorus, BBC Theatre Orchestra:conductor Stanford Robinson. Narrator, Dennis Arundell

The Constable: Owen Brannigan

Mary: Lorely Dyer

Aunt Jane: Gladys Palmer

John the Butcher: Dennis Noble

Hugh the Drover: Webster Booth

Turnkey: Powell Lloyd

THE SONG OF THE ROAD from HUGH THE DROVER sung by JAMES JOHNSTON

SINGING TO YOU - Forces Programme, 12 July 1942 15.30

Story of Webster Booth and his songs. Gramophone programme, compiled and written by Bettine Rampton, and presented by Leslie Perowne

THE SHEPHERDS OF THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS - BBC Home Service Basic, 8 December 1942 21.40 Pastoral episode, founded upon Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, by R. Vaughan Williams

Ladies of the BBC Theatre Chorus,

BBC Theatre Orchestra - conductor, Stanford Robinson.

Produced by Stephen Thomas in collaboration with the conductor.

A pilgrim: Roy Henderson

First shepherd: Sinclair Logan

Second shepherd: Webster Booth

Third shepherd: Victor Harding

A celestial messenger: Geoffrey Dunn

Voice of a bird: Margaret Field-Hyde

Narrator: Patric Curwen

BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - Forces Programme, 20 December 1942 20.00

(90 players). Conductor, Sir Adrian Boult. Webster Booth (tenor)

ENSA HALF-HOUR - Forces Programme, 6 January 1943 19.30

The Stuff We Gave the Troops. Programme designed to reflect the more serious side of ENSA's musical activities-featuring some famous singers of the day, including Webster Booth and Joan Hammond.

Devised by Walter Legge.

Presented by the Department of National Service Entertainment (NAAFI)

SUNDAY RHAPSODY City of Music - BBC Home Service Basic, 9 July 1944 21.35

A Viennese pot-pourri by Julius Buerger, with Gwen Catley, Webster Booth, Dennis Noble (by permission of Jay Pomeroy)

Winifred Davey (solo piano).

BBC Theatre Chorus. BBC Theatre Orchestra

Conductor: Stanford Robinson.

Narrator, Anthony Craxton.

SUNDAY RHAPSODY - BBC Home Service Basic, 23 July 1944 21.35

Edwardian Melodies - A pot-pourri for broadcasting, arranged by Stanford Robinson , with special orchestrations by Julius Buerger and Leo Wurmser.

Prelude, London chimes ; Pomp and Circumstance ; the Ballroom; Ballad Concert; Promenade and Bandstand ; Musical Comedy ; Epilogue, London chimes. Lorely Dyer. (by permission of Lee Ephraim ), Nancy Evans, Webster Booth, Stanley Pope Alfredo Campoli (solo violin). Narrator: Frederick Ranalow. BBC Theatre Chorus, BBC Theatre Orchestra : conductor, Stanford Robinson. (BBC recording)

Sunday Rhapsody - THE MUSIC OF ERIC COATES - BBC Home Service Basic, 8 October 1944 22.00 A radio pot-pourri with Gwen Catley (soprano), Webster Booth (tenor), Roderick Jones (baritone) (by permission of the Administrators of Sadler's Wells),

BBC Theatre Chorus and BBC Theatre Orchestra

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

11 October 1944 Guest stars:'KATHLEEN' AND WEBSTER BOOTH

THE BRITISH BAND OF THE A.E.F. - General Forces Programme, 18 October 1944 13.00 Under the direction of R.S.M. George Melachrino , with Kathleen Booth and Webster Booth.

TERESA DEL RIEGO - BBC Home Service Basic, 13 November 1944 18.45

A jubilee tribute to the composer, with Gladys Ripley (contralto), Webster Booth (tenor)

BBC Theatre Chorus and BBC Theatre Orchestra.

Orchestrations by Leo Wurmser.

Chorus arrangements by John Clements.

Conductor, Stanford Robinson

Teresa del Riego, who wrote the music of 0 dry those tears,Thank God for a garden, Homing, and many other familiar songs, this year celebrates her fiftieth year as a composer.

Sunday Rhapsody VICTORIAN MELODIES: BBC Home Service Basic, 31 December 1944 21.30 Pot - pourri for broadcasting, arranged by Stanford Robinson, including ballroom memories, plantation songs, student songs, and ballads.

Orchestrations by Leo Wurmser.

Ada Alsop , Winifride Ingham (by permission of Jay Pomeroy). Webster Booth, Frederick Harvey.

Narration, written by Harold Nede and spoken by Christopher Stone.

BBC Theatre Chorus and Orchestra: conductor, Stanford Robinson.

17 January 1945 GUEST STARS: Webster Booth & Anne Ziegler

Sunday Rhapsody -  EDWARDIAN MELODIES - BBC Home Service Basic, 11 March 1945 21.30

Produced by Gwen Williams and Stanford Robinson.

Orchestrations by Julius Buerger and Leo Wurmser, with Lorely Dyer, Nancy Evans, Webster Booth, Stanley Pope, Alfredo Campoli (violin).

Script written by Desmond Davis.

Narrator: Frederick Ranalow.

BBC Theatre Chorus. BBC Theatre Orchestra:conductor, Stanford Robinson

CITY OF MUSIC - Light Programme, 28 August 1945 13.15 A Viennese pot-pourri by Julius Buerger. with Gwen Catley, Webster Booth, William Parsons, and Winifred Davey (solo piano).

BBC Theatre Chorus, and BBC Theatre Orchestra: conductor, Stanford Robinson. Narrator, Anthony Craxton

MORNING GLORY from SWEET YESTERDAY - WEBSTER BOOTH AND CHORUS

Sunday Rhapsody VICTORIAN MELODIES (No. 2) - BBC Home Service Basic, 30 December 1945 21.30 A potpourri produced by Gwen Williams and Stanford Robinson , including ballroom memories, part songs, and ballads. Special orchestrations by Leo Wurmser.With Doris Gambell (soprano). Marjorie Thomas (contralto), Webster Booth (tenor), Norman Allin (bass).

BBC Theatre Chorus and Orchestra. Conductor. Stanford Robinson.

Narration written by Harold Neden.

Programme introduced by Christopher Stone.

Compiled by Jean Collen 2014.

Information from The Scotsman and the BBC Genome Project.

JEAN COLLEN © 2014