Mr W. R. Cade

 

When Mr. W.R. Cade relinquished his position as musical director of the Theatre Royal to take up the baton at Hoyts’ new Regent, he said good-bye to an association extending intermittently over a period of 25 years. His first recollections of the theatre were in the days when Maggie Moore delighted audiences as Maggie Stofel in “Struck oil”. Mr Thomas Grigg wielded the baton then, and Mr Cade, as an ambitious youngster played viola. His student days saw a series of one brilliant success after another, and the records of the Elder Conservatorium show that he won the coveted Brookman prize for the best performance on a string instrument. Then came a visit to Germany, where he studied for over a year under various masters, finally visiting London, where he was engaged in various orchestras under such well known conductors as Michael Faraday and Jacques van Henvel ad others who are now world famous. He toured the British Isles with the Quinlan Opera Company, and was specially engaged as violinist in Her Majesty’s Theatre as the gala performance to commemorate the Coronation of King George V. The lure of his native State however, was so great that despite many attractive offers, he preferred the sunshine of Australia to the limelight which would undoubtedly have been his, had he remained abroad. Mr Cade points with pride to his many fellow students who have left their mark on the records of the musical world – Daisy Kennedy, famous violinist; Carman Delprat, and Eugene Alderman, whom he regards  as one of the finest musicians Australia has ever turned out; Harold Parsons, Mus Doc.; and Brewster Jones, solo pianist, to name only a few.

The musical director of the Regent has had a very wide experience in all forms of orchestral accompaniment. His duties at the Theatre Royal required him to cater for a wide range of attractions from grand opera to vaudeville. He treasures many letters from visiting artists who have complimented him on his work. His new appointment is not, as has been stated, his first association with pictures. He was conductor for the original Wondergraph, a position which he held for some time before again taking up the baton in the theatre. This also necessitated his relinquishing the position he held  as leader of the South Australian Orchestra, as theatrical matters occupied too much of his time.

Mr Cade is proud of the combination he has got together for the Regent. The orchestra will consist of 17 persons, in addition to himself, a mustel organ having been installed to take the place of the great Wurlitzer, which will not be installed for a few weeks yet. It will comprise two first violins, second violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, two clarionets, pianist, two trumpets, French horn, trombone and drums and timpani. The full orchestra will function at the afternoon and evening sessions, and a smaller section at the morning session, thus making the Regent the only theatre in Australia to have continuos music throughout the day.

“I believe that good music is essential to the proper enjoyment of the pictures,” said Mr Cade yesterday. “it must not encroach upon th screen offering, or detract from the proper enjoyment of the story, but must subconsciously assist by creating a musical atmosphere in entire harmony with the theme of the attraction.”

Mr Cade hopes to foster and encourage local talent in all avenues of musical endeavour. He is sanguine enough to believe that the date is not far distant when he will be able to  play an entire programme of compositions by local writers, but in the meantime he hopes to present an opportunity for promising singers to make public appearances under conditions which are not possible on the normal concert  platform. In this he is supported by the directorate of Hoyts Theatres, Limited, who are pledged to offer every encouragement to Australian talent in the vast circuit of which the Adelaide Regent is an important link.

 

The Advertiser, 23rd June 1928

 

See Advertiser tribute to William Cade 5/8/1957