DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 18394, 1 October 1923, Page 3

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

ELEVENTH DAY,—SATURDAY,

CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCES,

Saturday was children’s day in connection with the Dunedin Competitions Society’s tjwenby-aocond l annual festival, and some particularly fine performances were given. There were good attendances at all sessions, especially in the evening, when tho whole of the seating accommodation in His Majesty’s Theatre was occupied. A lengthy and varied programme was carried through during the day and evening, most of the items meeting with the approval they deserved. The children's duot (thirteen and under sixteen yeans, in character) was specially entertaining, as also was the child's action song (under twelve years). In tho dancing section Miss Ruby Robinson was again successful, winning tho Irish hornpipe with a very meritorious performance. Mr J. Waddell Smith was chairman in the evening. Following are tho results MUSIC. Judge: Air Harold Gregson (Auckland). PIANO DUET, under 11, ‘No. 2 Danse Rustiquc.’ Kathleen Wilkinson (Roslyn) and Marguerite Matheson, 159 1 Christina Bevan (Kaikorai) and Ethel Bichan (Dunedin), 153 2 Grace Johnstone (Dunedin) and Meryl Ridley (Dunedin), 152 3 Also competed: Stuart Henderson (Afaori Hill) and Ken. Rigby (Dunedin) 149, Harry Goddes (Dunedin) and Kathleen Farrell (Dunedin) 148, Dorothy M'Ourdy (Dunedin) and Peggy Frailer (Dunedin) 146, Honor Hodge (Dunedin) and Harry Dale (Dunedin) 147, In commenting'on tho performances tho judge said tire section was a very pleasing one. The prize winners gave a very creditable rendering. They started well, and tho singing portion was well brought out. Tho introduction was well played, and tho dotted notes were well watched. The second prize winners also gave a nice rendering, being always together. The third prize takers also gave a pleasing rendering. CHILD’S ACTION SONG, under 12. Own selection. Pearl Carolin (St Kilda), ‘ Little Clown Doll,’ 169 ... ... 1 Thora Vivian (Dunedin), 165 2 John Edgar (Dunedin), ‘ Heaps o’ Lickin’s,’ 162 3 Also competed: Dorothy Allum (Dunedin) 149, Joyce Dove (St. Kilda) 157, Greta Hannah (Momington) 154, Dorothy Mackay (Roslyn) 145, Jean Johnston (South Dunedin) 150, Nccline Robertson (Dunedin) 152, Alargarct -Mitchell (St. Kilda) 141, and Lorraine Scott (Dunedin) 157. Air Gregson said that tho three placed competitors gave a very good rendering and showed promise. None of them gave the slightest indication that they were wasting thorr time. He thought the audience would agree with him that the girl to whom he had awarded the first prize was well deserving of that honor. The atmosphere was good and the words very distinct. Tho phrasing was also good for one so young. She had a most sympathetic voice, and gave a fine ending to tho song. She possessed a voice of round quality. The second prize winner had a promising voice, and possessed natural talent. Tho words were good. Her actions were well chosen and graceful. Her pronunciation, however, at times was a little faulty. The boy who gained third prize had a nice little voice, and his opening actions were good. His expression was likewise good, but he (the judge) hilled to hear all tho words at times. CHILD’S ACTION SONG, 12 and under 15, in character. Own selection. Lottie Do Clifford (Dunedin), 1 Buy Aly Roses,’ 160 1 Betty Covent,ry (Alacandrew Bay), ‘ Daffodils A-B!owing,’ 156 2 Miriam Beswick (Dunedin), ‘Lack-a-Day,’ 155 3 Vanda Duncan (Dunedin), ‘Tho Old Cobbler,’ 154 4 Also competed : Mattie Edgar (Dunedin) 148, Jack Stevens (St. Kilda) 148, Ethel Dochorty (Sawyers Bay) 144, Martha Robertson (Dunedin) 141, Rodney Kennedy (Anderson Bay) 147, Lorna Duncan (Invercargill) 14(j, Alma Hastie (St. Kilda) 147, Lily Keenau (Dunedin) 145, Islay King (Dunedin) 142, Joyce Reid (Dunedin) 148. In announcing tho result Air Gregson said ho was particularly well pleased with thus item, more especially with tho rendering given by tho first prize winner. She possessed' a nice voice, and her character work was very effective. The second and third prize winners gave very nice' renderings of their particular items, and the same applied to the fourth, but she had too palpably a girl’s voice to take such a song as ‘ Tne Old Cobbler.’ Ho remarked that the spotlight used in connection with these character songs was particularly well manipulated, and added greatly to tho effectiveness of tho performers’ work.

CHILDREN’S DUET, 15 and under 16 years, in character. Own selection.

Jack Stevens (St. Kilda) and Lewis Fronde (Musselburgh), ‘Tha Twins,’ 176 ... 1 M. Beswick (Dunedin) and J. Reid (Dunedin), ‘Boy and Girl,' 156 ... 2 Winnie Hannah (Momington) and Leila Greenall (Dunedin), ‘Are You Going to Danco?’ 143 3

These were the only competitors.

Tho judge said that ho had never heard a better rendering of this song than was given by tho first prize winners. They wore an excellent pair of sailors, and their make-up was distinctly good. The song was most quaintly sung, and the humor was well brought out—m fact, it was one of the finest pieces of humor he had ever' heard in his life. They played up to one another well. A splendid performance. He had awarded them higher marks-than: ho ever remembered awarding before. The two girls who took tho song ‘ Boy and Girl ’ gave a good performance. Their entrance was good, and they had pretty little voices. The girl was very coy and graceful in her actions. The third prize winners Kid fairly good voices, hut seemed a little uncertain, of their verses. Their oha-racterifiation lacked emphasis. ELOCUTION. Judge: Air W. L. Paine (Melbourne). RECITATION, Humorous, Girls, under 12 years. Own selection. Billie Robinson (Musselburgh), ‘ Tho Invalid,’ 86 ... 1 Nancy Abernethy (Dunedin), ‘Susie Green,' 85 ... 2 Nauna Nowey (Raveushourne),, ‘ Tho Secret,’ and Thora Vivian (Dunedin), 85, equal - 3 Also competed : Kitty Eckhoff (Dunedin) 78, Hazel Hannan (Dunedin) 77, Phyllis Eckhoff (Dunedin) 79, Amy Lawrence (Invercargill) 75, Winifred Hunter (Kaikorai) 76, Greta Hannah (Momington) 78, Nellie Hcnaghan (Musselburgh) 78, Agnes Alorgan (Mosgiel) 75, Margaret Morgan (Afosgiel) 80, Dorothy Shadrach (North-east Valley) 80, Veda Dunn (North-east Valley) 77, Violet Fullerton (South Dunedin) 74, Berta Boroham (Dunedin) 78, Wilhelmina Black (Dunedin) 75, Gwen Thompson (Dunedin) 77, P. Salter (Momington) 76, A. Dohig (Alornlngton) 76. Air Paine said the selections in this particular class were not many. Very little ■humor had been shown throughout the contest. These remarks, however, did not apply to the four placed competitors. There were many little details that were missed, and these counted for a good deal in humorous work. However, the first prize-winner gave something that lacked very little. Her imitation of a cold in the head .was very well done, and was one of ■the features of a very clever performance, RECITATION, Humorous, Boys, 12 and under 16 years. Own selection. Jack Warrington (Caversham), 80 ... 1 Clarence • Paine (Dunedin), ‘ Girls,’ 78 2 Elrid Todd (Caversham), ‘Circle Day,’ 77 - 3 Also competed: Jack Bannatyne (Northeast Valley) 71, Sidney Guthrie (South Dunedin) 72. Mr Paine said (Kha,t it was a matter of

[keen regret fo him that the work presented (luring the morning was below the 1 average. To say the least, it was very disappointing. CHARACTER, RECITAL, Girls or Boys, 12 and under 16. Own-selection. Lottie Cameron (Mosgiel), ‘Joe’s Flowers,’ 91 ( 1 Dossa Stahb (Dunedin), ‘Joey,’ and Alma Hastie (St Kilda.), ‘ Big Brotehr,’ 89, equal 2 Also competed : Ron, Lambert (Kensington) 78, Clarence Paine (Dunedin) 78, Irene Arthur 'South Dunedin) 87, Winnie Hannah (Momington) 80, Sidney Guthrie (South Dunedin) 82, Elma. Coxnn (Balclutha) 76, Nancye Low (Dunedin) 84, Laura Himrnel (Roslyn) 78, Lorna Duncan (Invercargill) 75. In commenting on this contest Air Paine said that the pieces chosen by tho majority of the young competitors were quite beyond their present capacities, with a result that many of the competitors—.some of whom were undoubtedly clover children —failed in a satisfactory interpretation of the several characters. DANCING. Judges; Aliss Aladoline Vyner (Christchurch), fancy dancing; Mr D. Maclennan (Dunedin), Scotch dancing, hornpipes, etc. TOE DANCING, 10 and under 13. Vivienne Lamb (Roslyn), ‘Danse Legere,’ 70 1 Wilhelmina Black (Dunedin), ‘Balloon,’ 69 ... 2 Ngaira Goughian (Dunedin), ‘The Last Rose of Summer,’ and Laura Bain (Chiton Hill), ‘ Ono Winter's Day,’ 63, equal 3 Also competed: Hilda Smith (Roslyn) 67, Sylvia Lenz (Alusselburgh) 64, Lorna Duncan (Invercargill) 66, Elizabeth Kroon (Dunedin) 63, Nancy Ahernetliv (Dunedin) 65, and Joyce Guthrie (South Dunedin) 66. In announcing the result, Aliss Vyner said that the knee work' had been hotter in this class than in some of tho others. There had been some decidedly good control of the knees and arms shown, although in some cases straight knees had not boon sustained throughout the dance. Pome of tho performers had evidently felt the strain towards the end. The balance of the first prize-winner was sometimes good, though tho knees -were not always straight. She should watch her shoulders when en pointe. The second prize-winner was fair en pointe, but her knees were rather weak and her balance wobbly. A rather pretty conception was marred by an insufficient variety of steps. Of the. two who tied for third place the performance of Afiss Laura Bain was a charming one, but there were technical defects, particularly when en point. The head was good. Afiss Ngaira Goughian's pointes were good, her knees fair, and her arms pretty, hut not strictly correct, and not enough appreciation of rhythm and expression. Tho arrangement on'the whole, however, was good. HIGHLAND FLING, Boys, under 10. Grahame Al’Kinlnv (Dunedin), 78 ... 1 Willie Murray (Mosgiel). 76 2 IRISH HORNPIPE, Girls, under 18. Ruby Robinson (Dunedin) 1 Doreen Wheeler (Dunedin) 2 Lorna Budge (North-east Valley) ... 3 Eileen Af'Carthy (Nortn-ea-t Valley) ... 4 The other competitors were: Rhona Beale (Mosgiel), Alarguevile Beck (Dunedin), Lily Fox (Dunedin), Nan Wilts (Kensington), Alice. Denholm fOamani), Edna Gray (Dunedin), Alay Thompson (Dunedin), and Ethel Sinclair (Dunedin). IRISH JIG, Girls, 35 and under 18. recalls in this item were.: Alnrgurrito Beck (Dunedin).' Lily Fox (Dunedin), and Eileen M’Oarthy (North-cast Valley). Also competed: Alice Denholm (oamaru) and Phyllis Gray (Dunedin). Tho finals took place this afternoon. REEL O’ TULLOCH, Girls, under 18. The recalls wore: Eileen M'Oarlhy (North-east Valley), Lorna Badge (Northeast Valley), Doreen Wheeler (Dunedin), and Marguerite Beck (Dunedin). Tho other competitors were: Jean Russell (Alilton), Lily Fox (Dunedin), Alay Hungerford (North-east Valley), Edna Gray 7 (Dunedin), Alay Thompson (Dunedin), and Ethel Sinclair (Dunedin). The finals of this item were taken this afternoon.