Russian Praise For Maori Group

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 28

Russian Praise For Maori Group

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 27.

Playing to packed and enthusiastic audiences, the 32 members of New Zealand’s touring Maori Theatre Trust concert group have completed their three-day Moscow ap- ■ pearance and have now started a five-week tour of the Soviet Union, the Novosti Press Agency reported today.

Novosti’s glowing report of the group’s Moscow appearances was issued in Wellington today by the Soviet Legation. The agency quoted the Maori Theatre Trust chairman (Mr P. Keiha) as saying: “We had some language problems but judging by the warm reception we were given by Soviet audiences our art did get to their hearts.” Dick Johnstone, the 30-year-old artistic director of the company, said: "After the first number during our very first concert rhythmic applause followed. We were at a loss as we did not know how to take it It turned out that in this way the audiences here express their delight and demand encores.” Novosti praised the singing

' of Inia Te Wihta and Isobel , Cowan and said: “The incredible jumps during a three- ’ hour concert from the time when legendary Maui caught New Zealand’s North Island ■ out of the depths of the Pacific to the drama of Onegin, whose air was brilliantly sung by Inia Te Wiata, give i a fine introduction to this i history of the Maori people." ■ The concert also showed the remarkable care for the ■ tradition of the Maori, plus ' his ability to assimilate the i culture of other civilisations ■ of the modern world, Novosti ■ said. All tickets were sold out ' for Moscow concerts, in spite : of the peak holiday season ■ in the Russian capital. The concert will now go to the Baltic capitals and then ; to Minsk and Kiev.

Late Advertisements DEATHS CATTERMOLE, Leslie William Louie —On July 27, 1970, at hla residence Denmark Street, Temuka, dearly loved husband of Mabel Cattermole, and loved father of fan (Christchurch), Laurence (Snow) (Temuka), Joan (Mrs Brown, Banks Peninsula), and Lois (Mrs Graham, Temuka), also loved father-in-law of Joyoe, Pam, Maurice and Norman and loved granddad of all his grandchildren; in his 65th year. (Suddenly.) The Funeral will leave his late residence, Denmark Street, Temuka, Tomorrow (Wednesday), after a service commencing at 2 p.m„ for the Temuka Cemetery. w. Galbraith and Son, Temuka.