MAORI ENTERTAINMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4592, 22 June 1917, Page 2

MAORI ENTERTAINMENT.

A PACKED HOUSE,

The purpose of the Maori Enter- ■ tainers in visiting Gisborne would have entitled them to liberal support quite apart from the excellent entertainment they offer, and it was a foregone conclusion that the Opera House would be packed last evening when this well organised and gifted company appeared for the first time before a Gisborne audience. While the entertainment is . a distinctly Maori conception, and is on such lines that none but Maoris could successfully produce it, the influence of civilisation and education oh Maori customs was very •marked, and a most successful attempt had been made to adapt what belonged at one time exclusively to the Maori to modern ideas and current events. The entertainments have a double purpose. One is to raise money for the Maori War Fund, but there is another purpose no less important. The entertainments given should assist in no small measure in arousing a deeper interest in the war and awakening all to a public sense of their obligations. The company previous to last night had onlv given one public performance and since arriving in Gisborne circumstances have been unfavorable to a full rehearsal. In view of this it is the more surprising that so high a standard was attained and that there should have been a total absence of those defects almost inseparable from amateur performances. The noi dances by about thirty girls were nerhaps the most attractive feature in the programme. Attired in neat costumes, and the rhythmic swaying of their bodies and the cleft handling of the pois governed by the sweet singing of one of their number or bv all singing in concert, they made a very beautiful spectacle. They represented a battleship, an aeroplane, and gave a splendid' representation of life in the trenches. Riki and Kelly gave a couple of ragtime songs in' first-class style, and Te Kerei proved himself a fine entertainer and an excellent player on the mandolin. Several ladies distinguished themselves in individual items, but none pleased more than Miss.Turai. who gave a number of items in a sweet and powerful voice, her martial hearing suiting well the songs she chose. The chief. Mr. P. Hawaikirangi. with his fine physique and noble bearing, was well suited to his part. The string orchestra, though self-taught, played some very pretty and acceptable music. The closing tableau in which Mrs. Whitley took .the nart of Britannia; was capital and was loudly applauded. The company was assisted by a strong local orchestra. The whole entertainment was most enjoyable, and a full house may he expected to-night and Saturday. Ou Saturday afternoon there is to he a matinee, to which.children will bo charged half-price. The niano was kindly lent by the London Mu,sic Company.