THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 64, 12 September 1924, Page 2

THE COMPETITIONS

DEMONSTRATION CONCERTS

GREAT RECEPTION OF POI ' -. DANCERS.

Though the attendance at the first demonstration concert in the Town Hall last evening was not so large as has generally been the case, not so large, ' ln'tact, as have been audiences at several evening sessions 'during the 1924 Competitions' festival, yet there was no doubt of the pleasure which the programme gave those present. The evening's fare was generous, almost too much so, and the result consequently was that many who had wished to see the programme through and to listen to and also profit by the remarks of the judges —tor listeners as well as competitors may profit—perforce bethought- them 01 suburban cars while items had yet to ' be given. Encores wore, according to a plainly printed legend upon the "programme, not allowable, and -generally that rule was followed strictly, but the novelty—even in' New Zealand—the grace and rhythm- of the Maori poi ■dances were too much for rules and - regulations; the audience decided that it would not. be put upon, demanded seme more and enjoyed it air over. again. It may be that in some future ye-a u SV many ye*rs ahead if'all goes well with New Zealand, pakehas will aneal . upon stages and elsewhere and sphYtho Poi as they think it should be spun, but I for the present the "near poi dance" is not necessary, to keep the graceful art or game or ceremony, alive'; those who appeared last evening, the Wairarapa team Oi six and their leader, had the true grace and rhythm. Even if the pakeha may spin the poi aright, the love song, as sung by Tim Rautn last evening, wo-uld be quite beyond them the intonation, the tremendous vigour certainly the terrific grimaces. To-night the Hamua Glee will appear in dances and performances of these Native dances will aso be given at the children's matmee to-morrow afternoon and at the himl demonstration concert in the evenFor this evening another generous programme lias been arranged, particulars of which will be found in another column and an announcement is also niade elsewhere of those who will appenin the afternoon. When arramrine demonstration concerts to conclude future festivals the committee might possibly consider the advisability of either limiting the programme as printed (which' would, of course, mean that a number pt talented competitors could not appear 11 -liese final concerts) or of arranging a tourtli demonstration concert. " Audiences like to reserve: to themselves the right to encore a performer whose work has particularly pleased them, and being practically deprived of that rWit are apt" to sit back and take thing! in a less happy mood.. "Applause makes the show to go." That is not, of course, ' to, say that applause was'lacking last evening, but often more applauss w.is aeserved. . I:i addition to the finals-contested the results of which are given below, the iollowmg items were rendered "by competitors who had gained places earlier ia the festival:— .^.ano -duet, U^Tarantella," Misses Vera lok-n and Joyce Downing; ballet, Spanish.'; song, "Saphic Ode," Mi?s' M. Smith; action recitation, "Character from .an..Umbrella," Miss Kathleen Read; children's chorus, "Bashin<* ' Away." Guildford Terrace School; humorous recitation, "The Pudding," Miss Madge Yates; piano solo, "Ballade Op 170" t (C. V. Stanford), Mr. R. Sneddon; Scottish song, "Turn Ye to Me," Miss Aiieen Noble; poi dance, Wairarapa team; classic dance, "Eastern," Miss M. Heketa; recitation scholarship, "Lorraine, Lorraine, Loree," Miss Mi Ritchie; bass solo, "Tv Sal Labbro," Mr. L. Daniel; canoe ""*- dance, Wairarapa, team; Sliakespearian recitation, "Portia's Speech on Mercy," Miss S.-Ait-ken; girls' song, "Fair is Love," Miss C. Baskett; story without words, Miss Sinclair Breen. " ■ ' ■ Baritone solo, "Dream Merchandise" (Bantock).—Final: Mr. Cecil Chambers, 89 points, 1; Mr. W. H. Church. 87 points, .2. , Classical dialogue, in costume, own selection.—Final : Misses Mavis Halliday and-Mary Cooley, 88 points, 1; Messrs. Barton Ginger and 'Lionel Inch, 84 points, 2. . - - Dickens character sketch, ladies, open class, own. selection.—Final: .Miss Mavis Ritchie (Christchurch), 85 points, 1; Miss Thyra Baldwin, 83 points, 2: Miss Marjory Burnley (Lower Hutt),' was highly commended and awarded the third prize.' ' Humorous character sketch, ladies or gentlemen, open class, own selection.— Final: Mr. Leslie Anderson, 86 points, Mr. Barton Ginger (Lower ■ Hutt); 86 points, equal; 1. Miss Annie Woodward was awarded third'prize, and Mr. D. Stark was highly commended, on/ ' his work. ■- - '•..' ' ".'' ' Vocal solo, society's scholarship, for ladies over 21.—Final: Miss Beatrico Aydon (Nelson), 174 points,; 1; jliss Rose Palmer, 169 points, 2; Miss Aiieen Noble (Lower Hutt), 166' points, 3. The winner was -warmly complimented by tho judge on her "singin?; hers was'the best voice he had heard during the festival. Song in character, lady or gentleman, own selection.—Final: Miss M. Smith (Eastbourne), 87 points, 1; Miss Aiieen [ Noble (Lower Hutt), 85 points, 2. Highly commended: Miss Huia Doherty .and. Mr. Alex Murray. -.: ;■..-,: .