"HINEMOA"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2569, 17 September 1915, Page 7

"HINEMOA"

MAORI OPERA COMPANY "Hinemoa,", a' Maori musical plav, in three acts, by Mr..Percy Plynn. Cast:— Tutauekai Mr. Tiawhi Rogers •Tiki Jlr. T. Mahima Ngaiaramii Mr. P v un Tawhai Tawake Mr. Hamiora Whakauo Mr. JGtika Butt, Hinemaru Miss Morimga Butt Tapu Miss Mere Amoh-iu Hinemoa Miss Tirita Butl^ It was Mr. Alfred Hill who lirst conceived the idea of presenting the Jjighlyromantic legend of Hinemoa and 'l'uuuiekai in- musical form. The clever composer selected tho form for his effect and those whose memories hark back for a couple of decades may recall with 110 small degTeo of pleasure the signal success that crowned his work It was probably the best work he ever did, and the wonder is that it is not performed more frequently than is.the ease. Last evening the Hev. P. A. Bennett's liotorua Choir, in tho guiso of an opera company, presented liie famous old legend as a musical play, composed by Mr Percy Flywi, who is. also the pianist and conductor of the company. Unliko Mr. Hill, Mr. Plynn has mado no endeavour to indicate in his music, eithor in melody or style, tho char, acteristics of the Maori people. He has elected to base his work on the style of the operas of thirty years ago, with set numbers—choruses, ducts, and soloslinked up with dialoguo couched in that stilted style which employs "thees" and. "thous," a style of speech which scarcely comes trippingly from the tongue of the Maori performers. Whilst the music was conventional and at times reminiscent in character,' it was, generally speaking, melodious, and somo of the numbers wero distinctly pleasing Among the most attractive were "Little Maori Maid, Goodbye," sung by Tiki; tho duet, "0, Shy Little Maid of Mine" (which had quite a musical comedy touch); Tutanekai's song, "Love's Anguish," and the chorus, "Welcome the Moon." Save for those passages, where the real Maori element was brought into play in hakas and poi dances, both the dialogue and lyrics were in linglish, but suffered through imperfections in enunciation oil the part of most of those concerned. The narrative of tho love affair of Hinemoa and Tutanekai was closely adhered to. Initially it is represented that Tutanekai and Ngararanui both love the beauteous Hinemoa,'and the jealousy between the rivals culminates in a nght. Then Hincmaru (Hinemoa's mother) learns of Tutanekai's pretentions and will have- nono of him for a Gon-in-law, and in deep dejection Tutanekai seeks isolation on Mokoia, Island. But Hinemoa is badly smitten, and on a summer's moonlit night she secures two gourds as floats and swims out across Lake llotorua to her lover. There he pines in anguish, and. sending for water to quench his thirst, the Maori attendant, returns to •say that ijust as he had filled tho calabash, a mysterious form appeared from the lake, and drinking the water, smashed the calabash on the stones. Tutanekai, seeking to know who tho intruder might be, repairs to the lake-shore,' and JVoro sees his loved one sitting in a warm bath. ■ There is a glad meeting, and afterwards the parents become reconciled to the match and all ia well.

The final act—the best in the play—is almost entirely devoted to Maori merrymaking. Songs, hakas, and poia brought out' the,spirit of revel in the Natives, and their performance created lively enthusiasm. Had that element been fostered a little more in the other acts the play would have been the better for it, as the first act, lacked action and dragged, whilst tho purely Maori numbers wero positively electrical. /

Miss Tirife Butt, who,plays Hinemoa, is a Maori maid of Junocsque proportions, !in staturo tho queen of them all, but her work was unpretentious. . In repose she made a heroic figure, but was scarcely the romantic maiden of the legend, as tho writer has "conceived Hinemoa.;- TuWnekai, the . love-sick youth, was ratlipr well played by Mr. Tiawhi Rogers. Mr.' Eogers lias a sweet, mellow tenor voice, laden with, sympathy, and- sang tho pretty (jolo in the y final act very nicely. The liveliest actor of tho partv. is Mr. .Mahima, who' made Tiki (Tutanckai's" friend) a High-spirited young buck of the period. His duet with Tupa was the best number in the play. Tho latter character was demurely played by Miss Mere Amohau, - the possessor of a sweet sopro.no voice that was a. pleasure to listen to. Mr. Rua- Tawhai was. Ngararanui, Mr. Etika Butt was Whakabe, and Miss Morunea. Butt (a blonue) made a phlegmatic Hinemoa. Mr. Hamiora figured as Tawake. An attractive feature of the play was Hinemoa's vision of Tutanekai' as she reaches Mokoia Island, eshaustedafter her long swim. The scenery was capitally suggestive of Lake Rotorua, and there was nothing left to the imagination in the costumes worn.

During tlie interval Miss Rogers eang a topical version of "Tinporary, backed by a Maori chorus, ana in response to tho appeal made in the verses, coins ivere thrown on tlio These, toeeliher, with the house recoipts and. box collection made, are to bo presented to the fund- for wounded soldiers. Mr. Clins. Archer,, tlio stage manager, .announced that the amount received was .£93, but this total was swelled later to ,£96 55.. lOd. Mr. Kobert Hall, on behalf of the executive of tihe Patriotic Socioty, thanked Iho Native visitors for thoir effort, and complimented the race on the bravery its representatives were showing at the front. The entertainment wag witnessed By His Excellency the Governor, the Countess of Liverpool, and Mrs. and. Miss. Massey. To honour file visitors the Corps of the National Reserve (consisting of nineteen motor-cars), headed by Jupp's Band, paraded the streets of the City. Those in the cars included twenty-five returned soldiers' from the front. A detachment of the territorials paraded at the entrance to the Opera Hous© as & "guard-of liouour to His Excellency. ' ■. "Hinemoa" will be produced for the ensuing week. The profits made irill no towards wiping off the debt of ffluj Anglican Church at Ohinemutu. It* was also announced that J. 'C. Williamson. Ltd., had given the use of the theatre free of cost for last evemng'a performance.