THE COMPETITIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 275, 2 September 1936, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

12th FESTIVAL CONCLUDED. TUCKER TROPHY EVENT /DECIDED. AWARD TO MISS A. RUDDOCK. The 12th annual festival of the Ashburton Competitions Society was concluded in the Majestic Theatre last evening, when a long and varied propramme was presented to a. large audience. The first demonstration concert to follow the festival was presented this afternoon, and the second will be presented this evening. The anonncement of the award of the Tucker Trophy to Miss Audrey Ruddock for winning the open piano championship was made by the musical judge (Mr T. Vernon Griffiths). The points he Awarded to the competitors in the three sections of the championship were: Sel’n. Rdg. Test. Ttl.

Mr Griffiths said it had been a pity that only three competitors had entered for the competition. The audience would say that this made his task easier, hut actually it made it harder. The competitors had been very even, and now one would lead, and then another. That afternoon Miss Ruddock had given an absolutely magnificent performance with the test piece. He had the greatest admiration for Miss Owers, who had really done remarkably well, and would shortly he a most formidable opponent to anyone contesting the trophy, and Mr Cooper would also make the task of anyone contesting the trophy difficult. He was very pleased that the trophy had gone to an Ashburton lady who played with such .remarkable skill as Miss Ruddock. Mr Griffiths and the other judges (Miss Edna Agnew, dancing, and Mr R. T. Bush, elocution) referred to the facilities that had been placed at their disposal during the competitions, particularly thanking the secretary (Mr C. J. McEachen) and his helpers. They said that they had spent an enjoyable time and hoped to return to judge at other competitions. 1 The president of the society (Mr W. H. Higgins) thanked the judges for their extraordinary services, and said he hoped the judges would be back at some festival in the future. Results were as follow 7, competitors being resident in Ashburton unless otherwise stated:— Dancing Section. IRISH JIG, under 12. Master Russell Dowling (Ch-cli) 87 points 1 Miss Ngaire Brown (Ch-cli) and Miss Betty Fowke (equal), 86pts ... 2 This was a very-entertaining section to watch, said the judge. She could not separate the two second competitors. Both were veryl good. SKIPPING ROPE DANCE, under 14. Miss Maisie Wilson, 86pts 1 Miss Nanie McLeod (Invercargill), 83 points 2 Also competed: Misses Patricia Walklin (Ch-ch), Shirley James, Jean Skilling (Ch-ch), Leonore Upton (Ch-ch), Beverley J. Easterbrook (Ch-ch). SEAUN TRIUBHAIS, provincial championship. North Canterbury centre. Open; any age. Miss Billie Addis (Ch-ch), 91pts ... 1 Miss Maisie Wilson and Miss Hazel Neil (Ch-ch) (equal) 90pts ... 2 In the judge’s opinion this was a difficult section to decide, and she said that those who had seen the three competitors dancing would realise how difficult her task was. SWORD DANCE, 14 and over. Billie Addis (Cli.ch), 86pts ... 1 Hazel Neil (Ch.ch), and Miss Flora Fitt (Ch.ch), (equal)', 85pts ... 2 The three girls who danced off all did good worok, said the judge, but those placed second, after making a good beginning, should keep the good work up. TAP OR STEP DANCE, under 14. Miss Maisie Wilson, 86pts ... 1 Miss Valda Rouse, 84pts ... 2 Miss Shirley James, 83pts ... 3 The winner gave a very brilliant performance, the judge remarked. The second prize-winner gave a very good tap dance, better in the evening than in the morning. CHARACTER. DANCE, 14 years and over. Miss Billie Addis (Cli.ch), 83pts ... 1 Miss Erin Matthews (Ch.ch), 82pts 2 Also competed—Miss Melba Melville, Miss Flora Fitt (Ch.ch). This was a very pleasing section, the judge remarked, and the winner gave an outstanding performance. BALLET, any age. Miss Gladys Bushel?s School of Dancing (“Butterflies and Fairies”), 76pts 1 Miss Gladys Bushell’s School of Dancing (“Dutch Doings”), 7opts The judge said she thought all the ballets were very good. She liked the one the little ones put on. Some were a little behind in their rhythm, but all were dainty dancers. Elocution Section. RECITATION, non-lmmorous, lady or Gentleman, own selection. Miss Ida Eide, 76pts 1 Miss Berwyn Frye (Cli.ch), 74pt5... 2 Mr R. T. Zeigler (Rokeby) and Mr Alfred W. Cook (Riccarton), (equal), 73pts ® This was an excellent section, the .judge remarked, and although there

were only six in it he had had to recall four, and the other two were not far behind. The winner, who had selected “Gathering Peaches,” a New Zealand poem, had perfoormed very well, with a nice restrained feeling. The second had probably touched some chords of feeling in most of the audience’s make-ups. The competitors in third place had both recited quite well, but were unfortunate in meeting two young ladies of such prowess. DIALOGUE, 16 and over. Misses Ida and Jean Ede, 87pts ... 1 Misses B. Baggs and Berwyn Frye, 85pts v.h.c. The judge regretted that there had been only three dialogues. The -selections he said had been all good. The chief lack had been the need for better team work, and characters failed at times to play to eacli other as they should. The prizewinners'had done this best, and their by-play had been very good and the patronage of Mrs Gamp had been well maintained.

RECITAL, with Musical Accompaniment, under 16. Humorous. Miss Beryl Baggs (Ch-ch), 76pts 1 Miss Betty Robb (Ch-ch), 74pts ... 2 This was a fair section, the judge stated. Some of the competitors had selected really musical recitals instead of straight-out humorous ones. Without the piano these would have failed. The combination was usually clever and entertaining. In this case competitors who had asked him to adjudicate on the music could not have the same chance of winning as with a straightout humorous piece. STORY WITHOUT WORDS, under 14. Miss Zoe Ayling (Ch-ch) and Miss Melva McAleer (Ch-ch), 72pts (equal) ... ... 1 Also competed—Miss Lilian Scott (Balclutha). This was an interesting section, in the judge’s opinion, and the little juveniles had done quite well with their dumb show. Had Miss Ayling hurried along a little she would have won quite easily. The other girl was quicker. ONE-ACT PLAY, up to six characters. The Geraldine Players, “The Silver Bullett,” 91pts 1 The Hampstead Players, “Where the Whirlwind Blows,” 88pts 2 Two very good plays had been selected, said the judge. The plots were well developed, and he thought the players generally did very well. Vocal Section. SONG IN CHARACTER, girls or boys, 11 and under 14. Miss Ngaire Day, 88pts 1 Miss Melva McAleer (Ch-cli), 87pts 2 Miss Joan Sheehan, 86pts 3 Miss Phyllis Bryce (Ch-ch), 85pts 4 POPULAR. SONG, lady or gentleman. Miss Phyllis O’Grady, 87pts ... 1 Miss A. Olliver (Ch-eli), 86pts ... 2 Commended —Mr Brian McSherry, Mr D. MacGregor Brown (Temuka,, Mr R. T. Ziegler (Rokeby). VOCAL SOLO AND ACCOMPANIMENT, lady or gentleman, own selection. Miss Alice Olliver (Ch-ch), 82pts 1 Mr Brian McSherry, 81pts 2 Commended —Mrs Charles O’Keefe (Tinwald), 80pts. Also competed—Miss Merle Fisher (Ch-ch). Special Awards. The following special awards were made:— Society’s special for men’s vocal aggregate—Mr R. T. Ziegler (Rokeby). Silver medal, presented by anonymous donor for barefoot dance, “Spirit of Spring”—Miss Leone Pauling [(Christchurch). Miss Agnew’s special for most correctly worn kilt—Miss Joyce Welch. M. Wilson Cup for Irish Jig, under 12—Master Russell Dowler (Christchurch), 87 points. B. Carnochan’s Cup, competitor under 10 with most marks—Master Russell Dowler (Christchurch).

FIRST DEMONSTRATION CONCERT PROGRAMME THIS AFTERNOON. The first demonstration concert was given at the Majestic Theatre this afternoon before a good attendance. The programme was an excellent one, many leading competitors taking part. The programme was: — Highland fling under 12, Miss Ngaire Brown; piano solo, under 14, Miss Norma Cromie; national song, Miss Alice Olliver; character dance, Miss Margaret Yates; song in character, girls under 16, Miss Jill Lecce; Irish jig, under 15, Miss Maisie Wilson; musical monologue, Mr Alfred Cook; piano duet, Miss Betty and Master C. Tucker ; song (by request) girls under 11, Miss Pauline Healey; operatic dance, under 11, Miss Shirley James; recitation, girls under 11, Miss Daphne Bishop; Highland fling, under 14, Miss Bernice Day; song, gentleman, operatic, Mr R. T. Zeigler; juvenile entertainment, Miss Ivy Fowler’s School of Dancing; Highland reel, any age, Misses Maisie Wilson, Melba Melville, Billie Addis, Jean Skilling; Dialogue, under 16, Miss Betty Burt and Master Jack Robb; barefoot dance, under 14, Miss Margaret Yates ; song (own selection) girls under 20, Miss Margaret White; recitation test, girls under 14, Miss Betty Robb; piano solo, under 10, Miss Anne Fairy; sailors’ hornpipe, 14 and over, Miss Billie Addis; song (own selection), Miss Phyllis O’Grady; character duo, Misses Erin Matthews and Leonore Upton; story without words, 14 and over, M'iss Rona Watts; song, ladies (own selection), Mrs Charles O’Keefe, violin solo, any age, Mr G. Spicer; recitation, under 16, Miss Joan Sheehan; song (own selection), under 11, Master Brian Gainsford; operatic duo, Misses Melba Melville and Billie Addis; recitation, girls 11 and under 14 Miss Lilian Scott; song, New Zealand composer) gentlemen, Mr R'. T. Zeigler ; ballet, Miss Gladys Bushell’s School of Dancing.

Miss A. Ruddock 91 82 93 266 Mr Peter Cooper (Christchurch) . 92 83 88 263 Miss Joan Owers (Christchurch) . 81 71 79 231