Social notes

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1788, 3 December 1936, Page 3

Social notes

ARTISTS OF THE DANCE Colourful Benefit Concert For Matamata Citizens Band Against an engaging “ back drop ” reminiscent of the land of Nursery Rhyme with its castle, its rounded Eastern turrents and never-ending pathway winding up and on broadly over the hills, colourful entertainment unfolded for Matamata theatregoers on Thursday night, when Mrs. Radford presented her pupils at a combined dance recital and benefit performance in aid of the Matamata 'Citizens Band. The event had been the “talk of the town ” for weeks, and the Regent Theatre was accordingly packed to the deers for the occasion. As colourful ballets, bright s.ng and dance numbers followed one another at quick tempo, the audience had every reason to applaud generously the fine efforts of the young artists taking part. The frocking throughout was charming, and the ingenious use made of rather limited lighting facilities gave distinctive atmosphere to the various dance scenas present; ed.

The orchestra for the evening was under the baton of Mr. Claude Fleming, and the Matamata Citzens Band was also present, opening the concert with a stirring rendering of “ March Victoria ” presented on the stage. The master of ceremonies for the evening was the conductor of the band, Mr. W. Marks, who spent a busy time announcing items, and presenting bouquets and boxes of chocolates to the young performers. “ The Navy and Army ” A particularly happy item was chosen for the important opening number, a ballet, song and dance entitled “ The Navy,” the curtain rising on a line of jolly Jack Tars singing and dancing smartly to the refrain “ Shipmates Stand Together.” This was a very effective scene, the girls making a perfect picture in their neat nautical uniforms, against the black and white background, and dancing in the spirited way that one expects from those who “ follow the sea.” Miss Dorothy Chilton, the young middy in charge, sang an number, “We Saw the'Sea,” with telling effect, and Miss Nancy Emslie danced a Sailor’s Hornpipe with the ballet “ standing by” to lend support at the right moment in true naval fashion. At its conclusion, the audience showed no hesitation in bringing “ The Navy” back for a well-deserved encore. So that there would be no sense of superiority or ill-feeling ,by any rival champions of “ the forces” who might be present, the army was next honoured in a ballet entitled “ The Soldiers.” This was danced by the tiny tots to the tune of “The Little Colonel,” sung by Miss Dorie Crawford. Though everything did not go quite according to plan (such little things happen occasionally in even the best regulated of regiments !) this was one of the most popular items of the evening and was enthusiastically applauded. Coon and Spanish Numbers A“ coon ” number followed with a full ballet dancing to Bill Pennell’s singing of the fameous Robeson song, “ Lazy Bones,” while Brian Williamson captured the exact spirit of the song in a shuffling tap-dance expressing the easy going attitude of the negro to anything which calls for exertion, even when it be the dancing in which they so delight. From the, atmosphere of the Mississippi and its slow flowing ways, the audience were whirled into the quick tempo of a Spanish dance. The effect of vivid red, orange and black costumes was a colourful one, and though the stepping was at first stately and graceful to the tune of “In a Little Gypsy Tearoom,” sung by Miss Jean Lowry, it ended on a spirited note in the famous “La Cucaracha ” dance which was given first as a solo by Miss Bonnie Bryce. Talented Boy Singer Milton Moon, the fine young Matamata singer, sang “ The Rose of Tralee ” with clear diction and a warm sense of phrasing rarely to be found in so young a singer. This item was enthusiastically applauded, and he sang the rousing “ Good-bye” song from “ White Horse Inn,” without accompaniment of any kind, as an encore.

“ Among My Souvenirs ” provided an excellent musical background for the introduction of a traditional 14 toe ” ballet, and the costumes and lighting made this item really out-

standing, pastel shades of green, yellow, blue and gold being used most effectively.

Clever Young Performers

At this stage Miss Doreen Stewart stepped forward and gave a short talk on “Infant Prodigies.” She did this most amusingly, her young prodigy who mixed his poem, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” with “ Twinkle, Twinkle, little Star,” being no doubt trying to live with, but most entertaining when considered dispassionately from the audience side of the footlights. Another unusual and clever item was that given by Jack Mclntyre. Dressed in cowboy rig he looked like the “ real thing ” from America, and, moreover, sang like it! He revealed an extraordinary knowledge of “ Hill Billy ” technique, in two typical yodelling numbers sung without accompaniment of any kind, and was warmly encored. The finale to the first half of the programme was a modern tap-ballet danced to the theme song, “ Dancing Cheek to Cheek,” sung by Miss Dorothy Chilton, with Miss Evelyn Whitworth and Mrs. Radford performing a dance 'deux, and leading the ballet spiritedly.

An Old World Scene

After the interval came perhaps the most attractive item of the evening. The curtain rose to reveal a ring of shepherdesses dressed in pink and blue dancing in an old world garden. Two small statues, a boy and a girl dressed in white Batin, were posed artistically on pedestals facing out to the audience. As the ballet danced to the strains of “ Rendezvous,” sung by Miss Doreen Clarke, the statues, Norma Clover and Valmai Clark, gradually came to life and danced a stately measure of

their own. This was most cleverly done; though their movements were graceful they danced with just a suggestion of stiffness which kept alive the illusion that they were “ only statues.” Humour was not wanting at any time during the evening, but Milton Moon’s hula dance in the Hawaiian number jset the high note for the evening. Misses Mabel and Hazel Hurst’s singing of the plaintive “ Aloha-Oe ” in the more serious scena had a simplicity about it redolent of life lived on, the sands under the palm trees of the sunny South Seas.

The Eastern ballet to follow struck a more opulent note, the dressing and dancing being really outstand-

ing for the way in which it convey-

ed “ atmosphere,” rich jade green, red, orange and gold colours and materials making for a fine effect. The dancing of the ballet was Egyptian in motif, as was the solo danced by Miss Elaine Bryce. Many, and Varied It.ems Other items making for a full and varied evening were: Highland Fling and Sword dance, Miss Nancy. Emslie; ballet, “ A Little Bit of Black and White,” danced by the junior class; solo tap dance, “ Over My Shoulder,” Miss Livingstone; ballet,, “ Rhythm of the Rain,” musical monologue, “Have You Been True,” by Miss Stewart; dance and chorus, “ Popeye the Sailorman,” ! Milton Moon and boys’ ballet; song, “ When [ Grow Too Old to Dream,” Milton Moon; song and dance, “ Waggon Wheels,” Dorothy Gook and ballet; Dutch song and dance, “ Red Sails in the Sunset,” given by Miss Dorothy and Miss Florence 'Cook; ballet, “.Smiling Irish Eyes.”

Before the last item Mrs. Radford gave a beautilul exposition of the intricate art and grace of toe-danc-ing. Performed in flowing white draperies this was a most artistic number, and was warmly applauded?

Mr. W. Marks then made a short speech thanking the audience for the enthusiastic manner in which it had received the efforts of the young performers, adding that they were most of them first quarter pupils : who. had never appeared on a stage . before. He also thanked, on behalf of the band, all those who had contributed to the undoubted success of the evening. Presentations were made to Mrß. Radford and Mr. Fleming on behalf of the young performers, by Miss Doreen Stewart, and the concert concluded with a spectacular ballet, song and dance, “About a Quarter to Nine,” Sung by Miss Dorothy Chilton, with Miss Evelyn Whitworth, dancing a pas seul, and leading the ballet in a triumphant finale.