THE COMPETITIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 16 May 1941, Page 3

THE COMPETITIONS

FIRST DEMONSTRATION CONCERT SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMME OF PRIZE-WINNERS OUTSTANDING JUVENILE DANCER The first demonstration concert ot the Nelson Competitions festival attract ed a good house to the Theatre Royal last night, and the audience was thoroughly entertained by an excellent variety of prize-winning items. The programme was chosen for its entertain ment value, but it also gave the public a good idea of the type and standard of work being done in the competitions in the dancing, musical ancl elocutionary sections. The hit of the evening was undoubtedly a song and dance number by a tiny Wellington competitor, Leigh Brewer aged 7 years. With the vivacity' anc stage presence of an accomplished adult she captivated the audience frorr the start, and won rounds of applause An encore was given, which is rare ii the competitions, the second song and dance being “Beer Barrel Polka.” Pete: Rowell’s eccentric dance was also very popular and was repeated. Other dances of a high standard were also presented, and songs, andl piano and mouthorgan solos. Elocutionary items, including recitals in costume and humorous pieces, were also appreciated West Coast and Wellington competitor: contributed to the programme whicl was as follows: Ballet in Costume. “Snappy Taps’ The Elizabeth Henderson School o Dancing: Recitation, “My neck doesn' want washing” Bruce Ching; Charactei Dance, “Tally-Ho” Norman Draper Mouth Organ Solo, Keith Griggs; Song “The Empire is Marching” Roger Win Piano Duet, “Invitation to Dance' Misses E. Patten and J. Hansen: Skipping Dance, Pauline McKenzie; Recita in Character in Costume, “Don’t Come too Late” Miss Mabel Edelsten; Char acter Dance, “Drum Major” Shirley Lock; Song, “Heigho the Morning Dew' Rae Snowden; Song, “Turn y r e to me' Miss R Bensemann; Recitation, “Roofs' Miss Heather Byrne; Dance Duo, “Rus sian” Betty Smith and Nancy Win; Sonf and Dance Team, “Vienna Woods” The Elizabeth Henderson School of Dancing Ballet in Costume, ‘Spring’ The Elizabetl: Henderson School of Dancing; Re citation, “The Bald-headed Gentleman’ Pat Beard; Song and Dance, “The Three Little Fishes” Leigh Brewer; Recitation, “Jonah and the Grampus” Ray mond Smith; Song in Costume, Marcelle Snow; Piano Solo, “Polina” Shirley Webley: Song, “The Floral Dance” Mi A. R. McDougall; Character Dance “Welsh” Audrey Nott: Recital in Char acter in Costume, “I dunno” Ker Smart; Song, “Serenade” Miss Olgs Puklowski; Highland Fling, Pamels Leighs; Tap Dance, Peter Bennett; Eccentric Dance, Peter Rowell; Ballot ir Costume, “Dreams of Chopin” The Elizabeth Henderson School of Dancing. RESULTS Yesterday's results are as follows: DANCING (Judge: Miss Lorraine Major) Juvenile dance, own selection, under 7—Anne Stringer 78, 1; Gloria Daly and Janet Lock 69, equal 2. The pretty costuming in this clas: was praised by the judge. Tap dance. 9 and under 12—Audrey Nott (Greymouth) 87. 1; Pamela Davies 81, 2: Margaret Leighs 80, 3: Zenda Arnold and Norman Draper (Wgtn.), 7E v.h.c. The winning number was rather or-

sailor’s taps. It was a good performance. Operatic dance. 12 and over—Shirley Lock 88, 1; Pamela Leighs 85, 2; Valerie Lock 84, 3; Loise Skilton (Motueka) 83. v.h.c.; Joy Griggs 78, h.c. “I enjoyed this class.” said Miss Major. “The winner’s personality was bright and her technique the best of the lot.” Dance duo. 12 and over—Josephine ; Tunnicliff and Peter Bennett 84, 1; ; Josephine Tunnicliff and Shirley Lock 82, 2; Shirley and Valerie Lock 76, 3. The winners kept together well on the whole, commented the judge. Russian dance. under 9—Leigh Brewer (Wgtn.) 79. 1; Helen McMillan (Cobden) 77, 2; Shirley Johnson 69. 3. These little girls were all quite good, said Miss Major, and the costumes were . very effective. VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL (Judge: Mr Frederick Bullock) Ladies’ solo. open, own selection— Miss F. Bensemann 78. 1; Miss Rona Hay (Blackball) 77. 2; Miss Jean Penny and Miss Patricia Barry', 76. equal 3. Gentlemen’s solo, open, own selection —Mr W. Richmond (Runanga) 91. 1. Mr A. R. McDougall 85. 2; Mr R. Stratford 77. 3. National song, girls under 18—Miss Olga Puklowski 80, 1: Miss June Watson 79, 2: Miss Patricia Murphy' 78, 3.