THE COMPETITIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11294, 26 August 1930, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

SOME FINE CLASSES,

YESTERDAY S RESULTS

SCATHING COMMENTS ON BARITONES.

The Competitions wp-o cont’nuea in the Opera House yesterday. Owing, no doubt, to the. somewhat inclement weather conditions, the attendances were not so large as on Friday and Saturday, but were none the less very satisfactory. The'judges, Madame Eugenie Denies (dancing) and Messrs. 1 homes Harris (elocution) and Cyril Towsey (music), had a busy day. The programme was a long one. including the ladies’ soprano and operate solos, and the gentlemen’s sacred solo, which, last-the judge said was disappontirig, although he seemed quite pleased with the work of the ladies. The> baritones, Mr. Towsev described as .dreadful. Madame Dennis was disappointed in the toe dancing section for grls 12 and under IS. The Competitions continue at 9 am. to-rlav." Yesterday’s results a»o given below.

HUMOROUS RECITATION Girls or Bovs under 12 (Own Selection.) Vivian Kavenliill, “Twice Times,” (81pts.) ... 1 1 let tv Aislabie, “The Unfortunate Child,” (79pts.) ... 2 Oretcheu lvanc, “Busy,” (77pts.) .‘1 Highly commended: Margaret Dunsinoro. “A Horrible Tale”; Joy Sealer, “Uncle Moso Counting the Eggs”; Makareta Morris. “Football Fans”; Chrissio McKnight, “A Trip to Brighton". Also competed: dim Ale-Knight, “Tilings* Inside”; Sheila Munro, “Assisting Uncle Joe”: In a- Steed “On a Bus Trip” : Freddie "Bradfield “Girls”; Bevau Martin, ‘‘Tommy’s Dream” ; Mario Meßreen. “What Andv Didn’t Know”; Pat Carnitliers,' “The Bald-Headed Mail”; Annie Elston, “Aliss Nan Knockabout” ; Norma Henderson, “Jack Attends the Baby” ; Donald Davies (Hastings), “A Little Boy’s Remarks to His Stomach”. Vivian Ravenhill had given a delightful .performance of “Twice Times.” bringing out the humor of the piece and reciting with excellent expression, said the judge. Betty Aislabie had shown herself in he a bright little girl with a good rendition of “The Unfortunate Child.” Oretcheu Kane had given an excellent recitation of “Busy,” but her work was not so finished as that of the other two. Nevertheless, she had held her audience’s attention throughout.

STRING QUARTET. (Movement from Mozart’s Quartet in C Auginer). The Harmonic Quartet (SOpts.) ... 1 The only entrants in the string cpiarteb section had given quite a good performance, commented the judge. STORY WITHOUT WORDS. (Third Section). Alessrs. A. T. Zeigler. H. Johns and party, “Consolation” ; Aliss K. Heath (Napier) and party, “A Mediaeval. Tragedy” ; Aliss Anne Hampton and .party, “When Hubby Comes Homo. With tli e ‘Flu” ; competed.

DIALOGUE IN COSTUME —Under 18— Joan and Vivian Ravenhill “Maggie Visits Tom at School” (George Eliot), 89pts 1 Valerie Cox and Joan Alellor, “Peter Pan and Wendy” (85pts.) ... ....... .... 2 ■Peggy McKay and Natalie. Williams (Napier), the “Quarrel Scene” (School for Scandal), 79pts. ... 3 Higlilv commended: Lily and Bea trice Millard “Arthur and Hubert (King John), Aluriel and Phyllis Alortimer (“Copperiield and the Whiter”) Stella Bradfield and Gretchen Kan© (“Puck and the Fairy”). Also competed: Ina Steed and Aimml Mortimer (“The Alad lea Party”), Makareta Morris and Sheila Alunro "(“Puck and the Fairy”). Crshla AloCounell and Jean Ross (“Cheeriul and Musical”).

Joan and Vivian Ravenhill, said the judge, had spoken and acted very well indeed, displaying a very high standard of artistic ability. “Peter Pan and Wendy’’ had also been very good. Peter Pan’s entrance being ospeciallv so. Peggy McKay and her partner had spoken well and clearly hut the character of Sir Peter had not been strongly enough brought out. Tho characterisation had been too vigorous and cjnick for the stout “old bachelor of 50.” CHARACTER DANCE "Under 12. ('Own Accompaniment:.) Nancy Parker, “Chinese” (Septs') 1 Sheila Munvo, “Jockey” (Sluts.) 2 Yvonne Brudly, “Russian Bride,” (B.Opts.) ” Also conmeted: Betty Jenkins. ‘'Tile Coster” : Jov Sealey, “Little Per) Pidimr Hood”: FlivUis Arnier, (Napier), ’‘Tarautelle” : 1.0-rua Johnstone, “American Clog” ; Kitty Neill ‘‘The Housemaid.” Commenting on this section the judge said the little people must be careful to get pood rhythm. She had been sorry for the little jockey in the evening’s performance, because the piano bad been so last it had been imnossible for the dancer to keep with it, losing marks in consequence. The Russian dance had not been bright enough. Tho opening step was the only one that should be done at a moderately slow pace, and even that, the performer bad taken too slowly. The little Chinese had been a .'rifle over-anxious.

(The winner of this class, Nancy Parker, sprained an arm in the morning and competed successfully with a -bandaged limb, showing remarkable pluck for a child of her size).

< ' SONG. .—Boys, 12 and. Under 15. “Cloud .Shadows,’.’ Jas. Rogers. (Medium key). Ralph Dyer ' (82pts.) ... ... 1 Alexander Crothers and Jack .. • Langridge (,71pts.. each) equal 2 • Also competed: Colin Day. • ) . C - SWORD DANCE • . 12 end under. .15 Up (Own Accompaniment.) Fileen„Curtis (79pts.) ... .... 1 Cdllecn Periston (TCpts.) ... ... 2 v Also -competed : Joyce McKnight and' Aileen Bryaii. _ , There were only the, cutting and positions-to remark' upon here, said the judge, and commented that the competitors should Watch ' the high cut and positions. . • ■ SHAKESPEAREAN RECITATION ‘I- Ladies . • 'V ‘/Lorenzo’s Eulogy . of Music. . Miss f Maureen • Keany ,(86ptsO '... ,1 Aliss Margaret .Franklin (84pts.) . - Highly ' .commended i Illiss Stella Mi SS . T. Snllmm. 'TKis .section had produced a good contest; despite the fact that. there were only four competitors, was the jiidee’s comirient. Miss Keany.had made a good entrance.and had caught the •atmosphere ■ ! of * tlie’ ; moohli t evening when Lorenzo had made the speech ;in Shakespeare’s play. She

luid shown a tendency to dwell too long on the pauses, which had made her recitation rather measured. Her performance had been an. artistic one. Aliss Franklin had given an excellent interpretation of the piece, but at tho evening session had waxed too forceful aud dramatic.

PIANO SOLO

12 an.d under 15. (“Coronach”, Barratt.)

June Adair (78pts.) ••• I Joan Ravenhill Highly commended: Valerie Cox. Also competed: Gladys Wade, Lorraine Coop, Alollv Fmmcrson, Betty Ouiglev, Rita Leach, Jean Rust, Ena Hannah.

One expected good piano music in Gisborne, remarked the judge. When here two years ago, lie had been struck with the quality of the playing, which reflected great credit on the teachers. Gisborne, ho said, was fortunate in having such. pood piano teachers. The winning girl had performed delightfully. She had temperament, which was most important of,all in a pianist. Anyone could master tho technical side of music, but to be an artist, temnerameut was essential. The second-placed, girl liad given quit© a good rendering of the niece, and "Valerie Cox had a- nice touch and a warm tone. The .indue had remarked after tho morning hearing of tho section, that the majority of tho competitors had apn.arentlv failed to realise the marching rlivtiim of thq piece. Ho ho|»ed, l>y this hint, to hear better performances in the evening. TOE DANCE. —l2 and Under 18.— (Own Accompanist). Ennius Heath (Napier) 88nts. . 1 Also competed: Joyce Mcßinghfc, Eileen Curtis, and Colleen Pcrston. The judge had, she said, been disappointed in this section. One looked forward to some really good toe work. Too dancing could be either very successful or disastrous, and she thought that some of the efforts had been tragedies. Only oirn of the girls had anv idea of standing on her toes. 'l’ho first thing to learn in this type of dancing was to control the knees. Failing this, one could not get proper balance on the point or the toe. One of the girls had had her shoes tied under tho instep—a dangerous practice which may lead to injury of the foot.

COMEDIETTA. OR, ONE-ACT PLAY AT is* AT a r era ret Franklin and party. “The Regeneration of Topsy”; and Air Stan Vincent’s part-v, “The Little Black Devil”, competed. RECITATION Girls or Boys under 12. (Own Selection.) Vivian Ravenhill, “The Little Black Hen,” (84pts.) ....... 1 Donald Davies (Hastings) “Jim” (81pts.) ... 2 Bevan Martin, “The Gardener,” (SOpts.) ... ... 3 Iliahiv commended : Gretchen Kane “Tn Fairyland” ; Ola Whit,tv “Grandma’s Angel”; Alollv Alacafferty, “The Lavender Beds.” Also competed:; Lois Matthews, “The Shearer” : Lenora Burt, “A Spring AEoruing” : Ina Stead. “Going Home”; Makaireta. Morris, “Blue Curtains”; Eunice Ryan, “Tlie Lone Dog”; Betty Beaufoy, “The Death of Puck” ; Joy Sea ley, “ ‘Specially Jim” ; Lois Wliitty, “Tlie Houseful of Secrets” : Joan Upton, “The Unfortunate „ Child” , Rene Witters. “Hide and Sriek”: May Taylor, “The Child Musician”; Sheila Munro “Fairies on the Lawn”; Beatrice Alillard, ‘Visions”; June Tavlor, “The Houseful of Secrets” ; Pnt Carruthers, “The Cuckkoo”: Margaret Dunsmore,, Crab Apple” : Doreen Hogan, “Tlie Houseful of Secrets” ; Jovce Witters, “The Cuckoo” ; Allan Alclvor, “When Pa AVns a Boy” ; Joan Swarbrick “Twilight” ; Betty Aislabie. “The Lovely Tune”; Alarie Meßreen. “A Naughty Day” ; Bobby Scott, “Fairy Lore” ; Hazel Swarbrick, “The Lovely Tune.”

Again Vivian Ravenhill had come to light with a delightful performance, rendering “The Little Black Hen” in such a manner that ho was sure evei-vone present had enjoyed it. Donald Davies had recited “Jim” very well, bringing out the pathos in the closing lines very effectively. Bevan Martin had good diction and a bright style, hut his work ill tlie final had not been so good as that at the morning session, the judge commented.

SOPRANO SOLO “Life and Death”. Coleridge-Taylor (High key.) Miss Joan Hill (74pts.) 1 Aliss Doreen Hunt (Wairnn) 72pts 2 Mrs R. ,T. Kerr idee ('vOnts’i ... 3 Highly commended: Mrs J. Dyer. Also dompeted: Miss Crace Clare, Miss Iris Let to. Miss Gladys Fanning, Mis s Lottie Trowell. The judge said there should really lie two soprano sections, one for dramatic sopranos and one for lyric sopranos. .As it was, it was very ddlicult to choose a test song which would not he unfair to one or the other. Miss Hill had a line voice, but must watch a tremolo which was beginning to he apparent. Once a tremolo got into one’s voice it was tho end. Some of the second-placed competitor’s work had been very good. He was sorrv for Mrs. Kerridge. She was palpably suffering from a, bad cold, but had sung remarkably well. In the evening the cold had seemed to be worse a.nd had marred the singer’s intonation.

OPER ATIC SOLO

—Ladies. — (Own Selection)

Miss Joan Hill “They Call Mo Mimi” (La Boheme) B’fpts. ... 1 Mrs. J. Dyer, “Elsa’s Dream,” fLnhengr'n) 82nts ... ••• " Miss Gladys Fanning, “Well Y'ou Know, Dear Mother.”. (Caval- ‘ leria Rustic-ana) 80pts. ... 3

- Very .highly • commended: JVJHS Grace'-Clare, “Caro Nome” (“RigoUtto”). M ; ss Grace' Denton (“Alas. Those Chi hies’’). Miss T. Lette “Flovrer song’? (“Faust”), and'Miss -. Doreen Hunt. Wairoa, “Love and Music” (“Tosoa”)., - ...... Also competed : M ss Lottie J p.owell “Sappho’s Farewell” (Gounod), Miss M.; Lunani, (New Plymouth); “Have I Lost Thee?” Miss E. Hot Her (“Fa ; r -Soring is Returning’ ), Ali?s Phvllis Wheeler (“Softly Awakes Mv Heart”). Mrs.' A. C. Coleman, “When All Was Young” (“Faust-”).

This, section, said the, judge, was alwavs an interesting one, and one in which surprises might he expected: The voice was only a small part of the performance—the singer must create an atmosphere. In these days of gramophones, .with records by all the. great artists, there, was up excuse for not running records through a number -of times and . following their style. The winner had. given a really beautiful performance of Mimi’s song. The facial expressions were charmingi. : The singer, had .temperament and knew how; to create an atmosphere. * Mrs., Dyer, haiL given a very good' performance. indeedof “Elsa’s Dream.” Mrs._Kerndge had been 'recalled. , but had • had trouble with'her cold again. , -

SACRED SOLO Gentlemen. (Own Selection.) Mr. C. Ed warns, “It is Enough” (SOpts.) ••• I Mr. H.. J. Jones (Masterton) “Jr With All Your Hearts,” (77pts.) ... 2 Highly commended: Air R, Heyworth, “The Lord is Aly Light. Also competed: Air A. Allan, “Though Faithless Aten”; Air S. A\ . Strong, “Consider the Lilies”; Mr E. Grundy, “Teach Ale to Pray”; Mr. Joseph Benson, “Ora Pro xN'ohis” ; Air S. Vincent,- “AS King’s Gift”; Air C. IT. Robinson, “'Alleluia”; Air Wjrefopd Wade, “How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings” ; Air R. Nicholson, “Call Forth. Thy Powers.” This, commented the. judge, had been another disappointing class. SONG IN CO&TUAIB Hoy or Girl 12 and under 1G (Own Selection.) Winifred Surman, “Mumps” (80 pts; 3 Gladys- Made, “Hullo Tu lu, (84pt.s) ... ... 2 rhvllis Mort'mer, “The Polic-e- ---" man,” (82pts) 3 Highly commended; Aluriel Mortimer. “The Leader of the Band.” Also competed: Peggy Lange. “Caller Herrin”; Heather Alclvor, (Taupo), “To a Miniature” ; Eileen McCarthy. “Ripe Strawberries” ; Colleen Pcrston, “Come to the Fair”; Winifred Surman “Mumps"’

’l’lte last tim<t he had been here, said the judge, he lied suffered z delightful attack of the mumps, and this year ho had again naught the disease. The winner had been dressed up as a boy. and. said Mr. Towsev. lie had never seen a bov with such clean knees. Jn iaet. lie had nob beloved it possible to scrub knees so clean. (Laughter). BARITONE SOLO. “Oh Could I Rut Impress in Bong” (Malaskin). Mr. A. T. Zeigler (To Poliuo) GSpts. \ ... ••• - Also competed Mr. R. Hey worth. Tins, said the judge, bad been a dreadml class. There had been three entries. Two had previously appeared in the bass solo. r lhe third ban ’iot appeared. Perhaps, he had noi thought of it. The performances old not warrant, a first prize.but he would award the second to Mr. Zeigler. He find chosen the song for its exceptional beauty. Fe knew Mr. Zeigler, and had heard him perform before. vr, „- ns aware that Mr. Ziegler lmu the brains to interpret the song correctly. bet could not understand wlm he bad not done so. The performer had expressed heartbreak ng aofruish, wlvcb) in the song would ,not break “the Little Black Hen’s Faster egg.” He could not understand the singers being both bass anil baritone.