THE COMPETITIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16808, 18 March 1915, Page 8

THE COMPETITIONS.

ANNUAL. FESTIVAL. SIXTH DAY. Interest in tho 1915 festival of tho Christchurch Literary and Musical Competitions m still'well' maintained and yesterday ilia sixth day was entered upon. At ■ the Alexandra. Hall tho Prepared Speeches were heard, and the preliminaries of the Humorous Recitation, the Junior Champion Recitation and Shakespearean Recitation lor ladies. At tho King s 'J.he»tro too i>re.iminariosi of the Piano Uuet vhe Soprano mux Soloa were vaken. 1" the evening theie was a large aUmiuance at lha Aing's Iheaae and the chiei item was the iiumorous Impromptu bpeecli tor ladies *MI gentiemeii under U'/e«ity-one yoais, .vhich. caused a considerable amount oi

..musemem. Mr P. iierous v;ns cnimman tor tho evening and briefly thanked the audience for ns support.

following are tne results:

PREPARED SPEECH

Mr L. H. Hunt (uunedra;, " Xho National

Crisis," yo points . • • • Mrs A. J. frroavcr '-Has tho

iiodern Stage an Jiaucative Influence';'" 80 points . . - ■ Mrs ii. Alice acarell (Chriatchurch), "The Eaucation of Our ttirls/' 74

points ■ Mrs A. J. Drearer (Auckland) spoke cm " Has the Modern Stage an educative Influence i 1" and look up tho position of tho negative, insisting that it did not realwo itu opportunities. Condemning the modern commercial t-hoatre and tho modern WWi Mrs Breaver's case quite overlooked *h© great folk theatre of Germany, the tvorn of tho modern producer who is realising tho possibilities of scenic beauty. AnoJhor point over.ookcd, too. was tho educative effect of tho modern dramatists' destruction of romance and the uprea-ring of realism. Tho speech, hhough it was too sweeping to have the effect of thorough investigation was well presented, though Mr* Drearer spoko from notes. Miss H. A. Scare!!. (St Albans) dealt with "The Education of Our Girls." a .strong, logical and reasonable appeal for tho free tuition of domestic science for girls at all main schools, thougn. lacking in force. Mr L. H. Hunt (Dunedin). in dea.ing with "The National Crisis, directed his attention to the statements that the war meant the downfall and failure of Christian civilisation. Mr Hunt's refutation was convincingly put, and he then proceeded to enumorato the benefits which tho Empire was drawing from the war - T \ ie speech was forceful, and clothed • readily in a nice flow of dignified language. SOPRANO SOLO. . Amateurs; Own Selection.

The flonipetitofa were:—Miss R. karat (Christehurch), Miss O. Thorpe (Lyttelten), Miss L. Hemus (St Albans), Miss Dorothy Archei- (Woodencl), Mrs H. Walker Kiccartonl. Miss-Averil I. Hope (Shirley), Mr* A. Henderson (Wellington) and Miss Edna Bundv (Ashburten). The class"was not strong numerically, and the judge's task was not a difficult oue. Miss O. Thorpe sang " Snowflakes" very well indeed, there being light atd shade in hor rendering. Again, the upper notes were n> little hard, but tho number was an oicellent one. Nervousness imparted to Miss HemuVs voice a, tremolo which detracted from her performance. Mrs H. Walker was heard to advantage in "Yesterday and To-day," but the sotting appeared to be more for a mezzo voice than for a soprano. Miss Averil I. Hope is tho possensor of a. light soprano voioe of good quality, and she U3es it well. Her singing of " Orpheus and His Lute" was an excellent effort, the use of (.he mozzo voice boing very good. Tho judge recalled Miss O. Thorpo (Lytielton). "Snowflakes"; Miss L. Hemuo (St Albans), " The Blind Ploughman " ; and Miss Averil I. Hope (Shirley), " Orpheus and His Lute." ■■ ■ ■ CONTRALTO SOLO. " Hume " (Wilford Davits).

Tho competitors were:—Miss Ethel G art on (Christenurch). Miss Caroline Pascoo (St Albons), Miss Dorothy A. Brown (Fendaltc-n), Miss Frances L. Horroil (Florrellville), Misa Aim* L. Le Fevro (Palnierston South) and Miss Winifred E.- Roberts (New Brighton). The teat selected was noi of an inspirine character, and the class was a. weak one. It could not be said that one competitor had a voice of true contralto timbre. For iho most part they wore merzo-oontralto, and, of course, were quite justified in entering the class, as the test was not beyond their range. Miss Lo Fovre sang well, her voice being nice and round, and her performance stood out.

The judge recalled Miss Dorothy A. Brown (Fendalton) and Miss Alma L. Lc -Ferro (Palmerston South).

HTJMOROUS RECTTATION'. Gentlemen; Open Class. Own Selection.

The competitors were:—Mr V. G. Carter (Christehurch), " Griefenatein "; Mr W. H. Jones (Linwood), "The Groom's Story"; Mr Charles J. Smith (8t Albans), " Wedding Day Speeches"; Mr Frank M'Donald (Christehurch), " Tho Big Game Hunter"; Mr Frederick Hargreaves (Greymouth) "Kicking Straps Race"; Mr J. S. Gendoll (Wellington), "Her Glove"; Mr G. I. M'llroy (Dunedin), "My Dilemma"; Mr B. Le Roy (Auckland), "Tho Hindoo's Paradiae"; Mr Byjou Brown (Otaki), " From Mark Twain": Mr Prank Cordcw (Christehurch), "The Little Piece of Ribbon in the Drawer." Intentional humour was not particularly prominent in this section. Mr W. H. Jonos told "The Groom's Story" in an excellent burst of comedy, and Mr C. .T. Smi'.h had variety of character work in " Wedding Day Speeches." Some tall stories of hunting were told by Mr Frank M'Donald in "The Big Game Hunter." Mr Byron Brown retailed the passage from Mark Twain, «es-

cribirig the adventures with the Continental guide. It was capably done, and the most humorous in the claws, j The recalls were: —Mr W. H. Jones, Mr j C. J. Smith and Mr Byron Brown. JTJNIOR CHAMPION RECITATION. Girls under 16 years. Own Selection. The competitors were:— Mis* Moya M'Mannaway (Lower Eiccarton), " Florcnco IS'igEtingale "; Miss Gwen Chapman (Christchurch), "The Children's Hour"; Miss Mary Brown (Dunedin), "The Hero of tho Commune";- Miss Eltrio Brewing "Tho -Old Clook on the Stairs"; Miss Laura .Ford (Dunedin), "Lullaby to an Infant Chief"; Miss Annie M'Shcrry (Ashburton), " Killed at the Ford "; Miss Juanita Manhire (Spreydon) "The Skylark": Miss Evelyn E. Mocbain (Lvttclton), "The Charge of tho Light Brigade"; Mies Violetta Hewitt (Invercargill), "The Children's Hour ; Misa Edna Fedder (Timaru), "In School Days ; and Miss Dorothy Brown (Christchurch), " The Bivouac Eire." In a class where the ages of the com- j petitors covered such a, raugo of years, the selection of the best performances was made difficult. Misa Mary Brown a tiny tot, performed admirably in "The Hero of the Commune," and Misa Juanita Manhire, another diminutive competitor, was. responsible for «. remarkably mature reaoding of "Tho Skylark." Tho recalls were:—Miss Mary Brown, Misa Elsie Brcwins, and Miss Juanita Manhire. PIANOFORTE DUET. ! Open Class-. Own Selection.

Miases G. and P- Sealey (Cnrintchurch), • " Symphonie" (Beethoven) 134 points 1 JEsa H. A. Seaicll and Mr X.. Jenkins

(Christchurch), " Overture to Rosamond " (Sohubert), 138 points . . 2 Miss Nellie Richardson .and Mass Leila T>enby (Christchurch), 118 points' . 3 Misses Irene Mahon and Kathleen Haydon (Christchurch) and Misses Kitty Murphy and Gladys Hopping (Christchurch), also competed. ■, .-. Some of the work done was good, fcno chief fanlt being a. disposition to rush matters. This was probably duo to nervousness.

IMPROMPTU SPEECH. Lady or Gentleman, under 21 years. Miss Dearsley (Christchurch), 75 points . 1 The subject selected was "If you had the Kaiser here to-night what-would you do to him, and why?" Mies De«ra.«y took the subject seriously, and prescribed a course of remorse, hut Mr C. A. Voss (Christchurch) set out to make tho subject as humorous as possible. He announced that ho would "tickle the bounder's feet." Mr Voea dwolt with loving caro on the effects of " tickled foet," and in the last minute ho insisted that the Imperial moustache ehould bo plucked out. Mr F. Amb.er, tho neirt competitor, was mercenary and decided that ho would make money first by putting him ou ehow. Ho insisted that tho subsequent nunishment should be lingering-. Mr W. Bascand decided to ask the Kaiser many oue?tions, and would then invite a friend, a phrenologist, to read -the Kai=er's bumps and give tho chart to the Christchurch Museum. TEXOE SOLO. Amateur.

■ Take a Pair of Spark ing Eyes " (Sullivan). Mr A. S. Mitchell (Addington), 136 points 1 Mr H. Blakeiey (Christchurch), 125 points 2 Mr Greg' Russell (Avonside), 121 points . 3 C H. Eew (Christchurch), H. Joll (Beckenham>, J. Robbins (Spreydon), W. F. Crum Ashburton) and B. Crowhurst (Christchurch) also competed. _ Tho solo selected was popular with the audience and proved quite a sufficient test for the competitors. Mr H. Joll'a voice was of

pleasing quality, but he failed to put auy individuality into the none and the 3ame remark applied to Mr H. Blakeley. Mr On f

Russell, on tho other hand, gavo a good rending, showing an appreciation of the dainty qualities of the number. Mr A. S. Mitchell also gave a good performance. SOLO AND ACCOMPANIMENT. Gentlemen Vocalists; Amateurs. Own Selection. Mr C. H. Tidy and Mr -Sydney Brett (Chri-tehurch), " Prologue to Pagliac-

ci," ICfi points * Mr J. H. Cocks and Miss Dunn (Christchurch), "Lend Me Your Aid," let points 2 Mr- F. ,T. Hsatwv and Miss Dunn (Christchurch), "The Song of -the- Torrent, 15!) points ° Arthur H. Medley (Christehurch), ciccom- I paniflt Miss K. Papps; J. Hardy (Christchurch), accompanist Miss G. Eaton; and Mr Greg Russell (Christehurch). accompanist Mr Sidney Brett n.lso competed. I Ms C. H. Tidy was rathor overweighted in the " Plo.ogue to Pag-liacci." and mispronunciation were not infrequent. Mr h\ B:ctt supplied a vigorous accompaniment, and as (ho combined work counted the effort was a fair oue. "Lend Me Your Aid" was , «ung by Mr Cocks with fine effect, the in- I vocation hein? =plondidJy given. Miss Nellie j Dunn provided a magnificent accompaniment. Ml- F. J. Hanna santr "The Song- of the Torrent." a number in which he was successful last year. The voice seemed to hr.ve a little of its resonance, but the rendering was spirited, and again Miss Dunn played (he accompaniment splendidly. As a concerted effort it was a fine performance. Mr | Greg Russoll had cliosen last year's tenor i test piece. "Ah, Moon of My Delight," and except for a. nasal tone gave a good reading. . The judge said that the winner had given a nice dramatic treatment, and the accompaniment had been excellent. " Lend Mo !

Your Aid" was not quite suitable, and Mr J Hanna, in " The g on „ 0 f the Torrent," | though he possessed a good voice, was husky. POMINION RECITATION. Gentlemen (open clasp'. Own Selection. Mr Byron Brown (Otaki), " The Eve o£ Waterloo," 82 points . . . .1 Mr O. I. M'Hroy (Dnhedin), "The Baron'a Banquet," £0 points . .- 2 Mr C. J. Smith (St Albans), "Lascs." 78 points . 3,

RECITATION. New Zealand Author. "The Song of tho Trees" (Mias ColborneVe&l). Miss Janio Petrie (We.liugton), B'2 points i. Miss E. M. Johnstone (Dunedin), 80 points '2 Mr G. I. M'llroy (Dunedin), 79 points . 3 SHAKESPEAREAN RECITATION. Ladies (open class?- " Quecu Margaret's Mockery " (" Henry VI." l>art 3). Miss Janie Petrio (Wellington), 63 xwnts 1 Mrs T. Hodgson (lnvcrcargitl), 82 points 2 Miss Paulino Brown (Otaki), SO points . 3 Miss Daphne Sherwood (St Albans), Miss Lena Vclvin (St Albans), Miss Lillion Foß+er (Dunedin) Miss Lily Aldridge (Auckland), Miss Fvedah Bssle (We-lington), Miss Isa, B. Struthcrs (St Aiban-s), Mrs A. J. Droaver (Auckland), and Miss Elizabeth M. Johnstone (Dunedin) also competed. Tho scene of Queen Margaret's mockery of Richard found most of tho competitors unable to present the physical and mental strength of character. Perusal of tho trilogy fhei makes up " Henry VI." should have prevented any error in gentleness. Miss Pauline Brown, though technically excellent, cast Marga. Tot in lines that wero too gentle, Mies , Janio Petrie realised tho charactei much better, but Mrs T. Hodgson presented n. well-drawn picture, drawn with broad treatment. It was on a grander eoale than any of tha other attempts, And did not pause to stress mere words too frequently. She was the only Queen Margaret in the class.

The judgo remarked that the selection demanded strong characterisation. Margeret was the strongest woman in Shakespeare. Miss Petrie had given an excellent interpretation. Mrs Hccis'ou had not shown to »uch advantage in the final as she had in the afternoon. She had been inclined to overdo the gestures, and the text was not correct. Miss Brown was good but not' strong enough. OPERATIC SOLO. Miss Ethel Richards (Invercargill), "-Poor

Wandering One," 148 points Misa Alma L. Le B'evre (Palmerston

South), " Fair Spring Is Returning," 138 points Mm F. Cotter (St Alban*), "Love From Thy Power," 185 points .

Mass Dorothy Archer (Woodend), Mrs H. Walker (Lower Riccarton) Miss 0. Thorpe (Lyttelton), Mts T. Hodgson (Invercargill), Mass Daisy Grant (Linwood), Miss Elsio Fletcher (Ashburten), Mrs A. Henderson (Wellington), Miss Edna Bundy (Ashbnxton), Miss Evelyn R.- Baird (AshbTlrton), and Miss Nel.io Smith (Lower Riccarton) also comjieted. • ■ This is always an interesting class, and it

attracted a largo attendance. The standard fluctuated, but the average was be.ow that of tho last two or three years. Miw u. Thorpe's voice clearly showed tho effects of her previous efforts. It was thin at tunes, and there wae a lack of resonance in the uppor register. Tho number had been carefully studied, and was sung with restraint, but the voice is more lyrical than dramatic in quality. Miss Daisy Grant essayed tho " Flower Song." The opening was very weak, but she improved as sho went along. Certain notes wero mort, spoken than tmng._ Mrs Cotter had made a judicious selection in " Love from Thy Power," from " Samson and Delilah," and eho sang it well. Tho tendenoy to go a Htt'o out of tune was overcome, and tho spirit of the invocation was imparted. Miss Le Fevre has a voice of pleasing quality, soft, and easily produced. Her.number was enjovablc. but her voice is not of the dramatic order. Miss E. Riohards's choice, " Poor Wandering One" was in lighter vein, but it was well sung, and showed her splendid upper register to advantage.

TO-DAT'S PROGRAMME. To-day tho Radios' test recitation and the girls' hnmoronß recitation will be taken at the Alexandra H»U in .the afternoon. In the musical section the morning will be devoted to tho piano so'o and the baritone teat. In tho afternoon tlio piano solo (Bristol scholarship) and the vocal solo with obbligato will be taken. At night finals in the contralto solo, the vocal trio, the comedietta and the girls' champion recitation will- be held. In addition, the ladies impromptu speeches will take place.