THE COMPETITIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 May 1939, Page 7

THE COMPETITIONS

DEMONSTRATION CONCERT VARIED PROGRAMME OF FINE NUMBERS OPEN TAP WORK RECEIVES PRAISE There was the best attendance so far this week at the first demonstration concert of the Nelson Competitions at the Theatre Royal last night The splendid entertainment provided was warmly applauded by an appreciative audience. There were items to suit all tastes: humorous recitations, dances by prettily flocked children, vocal solos of high merit and pianoforte numbers. A tribute to the wonderful work of the official accompanist, Mrs P. Vining, was paid by the music judge, Mr F. Wentworth Slater. He said that the competitors did not avail themselves of the help they could have got from the accompanist. It was quite a rare thing to come across such an efficient and sympathetic accompanist as the society had here. The following was last evening’s programme: Sheantriubhas. Master lan Mackie: recitation. ‘'Broke", Miss Beverley Stewart; Russian dance, Miss Shirley Hargreaves: song. “I Pitch My Lonely Caravan”, Master Harry Fleming: piano duet. Misses Shirley Webley and Dulcie Costello; skipping dance. Miss Pamela Leighs; recital in character with costume, “Ragsie”, Miss Gloria Goldfinch: character dance, ‘'Miss Shirley Kelly; sacred solo. “He Was Despised”. Mrs Lena Newman: recitation. “Mrs Pagglesby’s Party”. Miss Daphne Violich; dance duo. Misses Pamela and Margaret Leighs; vocal duet, Mrs D. Max and Miss Lorna Max: tap ballet. “Quick Service”. The Elizabeth Henderson School of Dancing: song and dance. “Maytime”, Miss Etta Banks; piano solo. Miss Dorothea Gooch; song. “Good-bye”. Mr Edwin Winter: toe dance. Miss Shirley Lock: recitation. ‘Swallowing an Egg”. Master Billy Hamilton; song. Miss Lorna Max: tap dance. Master Peter Bennett: recitation. “Don't Come”. Miss Lois Soyes: song. “Tartary” Mr Arthur Rose: step dance. Miss Cecily Kenning: piar.o duet. Misses Shirley and Helen Hargreaves: recita-

tion. “The Lion and Albert ', Master Raymond Smith: song. Miss ‘.Jean Tetley; character story dance. Miss Shirley Lock; tap ballet. "Tin Soldiers”, The Bette Patricia Studio. OPEN TAP Keen interest was taken in the open tap dance yesterday afternoon, when a high standard was reached. The judge considered it the best section she had so far judged at tha competitions. The winner, Shirley Kelly, received the highest marks awarded for any dancing in the competitions. RESULTS Yesterday afternoon's judging resulted as follows: DANCING iJudge: Miss Jeane Horne) Skipping dance, 12 and over—Eileen Hunter tTahunanui) 1; Shirley Lock 2; Barbara Oliver 3. “A very disappointing class.” remarked Miss Horne. “Most competitors impressed me as lazy skippers. More attention should be given to the footwork.” Barefoot dance (Eastern) under 12— Valerie Lock 1; Pamela Leighs 2; Gloria Goldfinch 3. Dance duo. 12 and over—Barbara Oliver and Mr Mellsop 1: Pamela Leighs and Violet Sutton 2; Bette Patricia Studio, and Shirley Kelly and Etta Banks 3 and v.h.c. Tap dance, open—Shirley Kelly 1: Peter Bennett 2: Shirley Lock 3 and v.h.c.; Etta Banks h.c ; Cecily Kenning c. “I had the pleasure of judging a very excellent section,” said Miss Horne. ‘ I had no hesitation in awarding the special cup for the competitor with the best stage personality to Shirley Kelly. She has been given the highest marks awarded for dancing in the competitions —87 marks. This girl is a clever little performer, it was the best section I have yet had to judge in NelYOCAL (Judge: Mr F. Wentworth Slater) National song. ladies, own selection— Mrs Lena Newman (Owen River) “Turn Ye to Me”. 1; Miss Jean Penney. “When daisies pied”, and Miss Lorna Max (Richmond), equal 2: Miss Reida Edgar 3: Miss Jean Tetley h.c. The standard was fairly good, said the judge. The winner was decidedly outstanding. Contralto solo. "Lie there, m.v lute”— Mrs Lena Newman (Owen River) 1; Miss Frances Bensemann 2; and h.c.; Miss E. Tunnicliffe (Wakefield) 3. Girls' song, under 12. “Listlers House” (Brake) —Patricia Semple. 1: Etta Banks. 2. "In all the sections so far as test work is concerned the competitors made fewer musical mfistakes in this than in any other I have judged.” said Mr Slater. “There was one outstanding performer. Mrs Newman. whose singing was a very fine example of restraint and general artistry.”