COMPETITIONS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20250, 30 May 1931, Page 21

COMPETITIONS.

SECOND DEMONSTRATION CONCERT. MANY MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCES. If further proof were needed of the benefits that accrue from the Christchurch Competitions Society's activities it was supplied last night at the Civic ,Theatre, when a large audience was ontertained for two and a half houry with items given by winners in the various sections at the annual festival of the Society, just concluded. It was the second demonstration concert to be given, and it was worthy of the description, as it fully demonstrated the splendid work of the teachers of elocution, dancing, singing, and music iu Christchurch. The programme opened with "Rhapsodic," a pianoforte uuet played by John Mahoney and Misa Daphne Stew art, in which both gave even better performances than those which won them honours during the festival. Miss Rae Barren's pleasing voice was admirably suited to the recitation of "Sage," a short, wistful poem which made a strong appeal, and it was fitting, too, that it should be followed by a dolightful interpretation of "Ave Marin," by Joan Sorrell, who has a sweet voice. Billie Addis made a great hit with a sparkling step-dance novelty and the encore was well deserved. "Boot Black" was rather a sudden change with its pathetic theme, but it was a splendid recitation by Hugh Taylor, and the audience was quick to appreciate the splendid effort of go young a lad. Miss Elizabeth Ritchie sang "Elizabeth's Prayer" and was followed by J. and D. Shepherd, in a character duo, "Entertainers." Mr William Brndshaw sang "Pokarekara" and "Cape St. Vincent," and tho well-known poem "Hearts of Oak" was boldly aiid splendidly treated by James Humphreys. The following brocket included "Sonata," a pianoforte solo ployed by Patricia Townsend, very well mastered indeed, and an amazingly neat and dainty operatic dantfe by a very young performer rf distinct promise—Audrey McNish. Hugh Findlay was heard to advantage in the "Bedouin Love Song," and "In Autuning was sung by Grace Nixon with pleasing effect. Ronald Fostor . was heard in a quiet and thoughtful poem "In the Gloaming," and his interproj tation of it was so good that it was 11 | pity the major portion of it was lost upon those towards the back of the theatre because of a ceaseless babble of voices from back-stage. , Miss Bessio Macdonald's pupils received a splendid reception for their chorus —"Tulip Time." The frocking was out of the ordinary and the whoto of its staging original and appealing. It was a treat and a great credit to I the teacher. Jean McLaclilan danced a i highland fling and in the following I bracket was a fine song, delightfully sung by Miss Annie Irocas—"Love and Music"—and a pianoforte solo, "Pre» lude and Fugue," by Joan Boniface. H. J. Francis sang "Lend Me .Your Aid." A Shakespearean sketch was given by Kathleen Chappie. It was from "The Taming of the Shrew" and was well worth the enthusiastic burst of applause it drew. Miss Olive Harcourt, with a pleasing contralto voice, sang "Sapphic Ode," apd that was followed by an interesting and fascinating character dance, "Awakening of tke Scarecrow," by Sheelali Chapman. In the last portion of the programme the outstanding. feature was the Vegetable Ballet, by Miss Dorothy White'a pupils. The costuming must have required hours of painstaking work and the instructor wo# evor iz the mind's eye when the general standard of perfection of the dancing waa noted. There was a splendid chorus of tap-dancing by older girls,* but nothing made more appeal to the audience than the perform* ances of the tiny tots In the chorus. The entertainment was concluded with a song "Love Leads to Battle," sung by Percy .Caithness, a Caucasian dance ')y Marjorie Austin, a humorous sketch by Thomas Cunningham, entitled "Chairman's Remdrks," and a pianoforte duet "Norwegian," played by Ivy Gainsford and Ruth Geisslcr.-