"HINEMOA"

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 63, 11 September 1915, Page 2

"HINEMOA"

"Hinemoa," the delightful Maori musical play by Mr. Percy Flynn, a. young? New Zealand oompoecr, will commence a six night's season at the Grand Opera House' on 16th September, being presented by Mr. F. Bennett's Maori Oper* Company. The production is under the patronage of their Excellencies the Governor, the Countess of Liverpool, and the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, who will be present at the opening performance. The first night's takings go to the Wounded Soldiers Fund, also naif the net profit* of the, tour. The music is captivating, and the beautiful voices and sweet singing of the company of forty are a feature of the entertainment. The scenery of the* piece, which has been painted by two clever artiste, conprisw m—ny t>e»atif_l landscapes of Botorua, including the lake and Mokoia, The dresses of the production are said to be very costly and rare, many of them being historical heirloomsOne costume is made from the skin, of the extinct Maori dog, and is valued at £450. There is a full and efficient orchestra travelling with the company, under the baton of the composer, Mr. Percy Flynn. The various mechanical effects are said to be extremely beautiful, a^id many supplementary numbers are introduced into the opera. The story of Hinemoa, the beautiful and gifted maiden of high rank, the idol of her race, who fell in love with Tutanekai, and the barriers which had to be broken down before the lovers could be united, is toucbingly and beautifully told in the opera, which is produced by Mr. Charles Archer (formerly of the Royalty Theatre, London). The box plan is now open at the Bristol, where seats can be reserved.

Book-keeping for farmers' song is approved by the Farmers' Union Advocate, which strongly supports a proposal emanating from the Hawk« Bay Union for the i_cln_en of book-keeping in the primary schools eyllabus.