Events In History
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21 April 1971Court Theatre stages first play
It was opening night for The prime of Miss Jean Brodie in Christchurch’s Provincial Council buildings. Read more...
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1 June 1960New Zealand's first official TV broadcast
Broadcast from Shortland St in central Auckland, New Zealand’s first official television transmission began at 7.30 p.m. Read more...
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29 September 1862New Zealand's first professional opera performance
Dunedin's Royal Princess Theatre was the venue for a performance of Donizetti's Daughter of the regiment by the visiting English Opera Troupe, supplemented by local performers. Read more...
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1 March 1862Charles Thatcher gives first NZ performance
The British-born tenor Charles Thatcher gave his first New Zealand performance at Shadrach Jones's Commercial Hotel in Dunedin. Read more...
Biographies
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Cheesman, Oswald Astley
Oswald Cheesman was a pioneer of music radio broadcasting who directed the Kiwi Concert Party in the Second World War before helping to establish New Zealand's first national orchestra.
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Main image: Oswald Cheesman
Oswald Cheesman and the Kiwi Concert Party