MAORI CONCERT PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21642, 12 May 1932, Page 14

MAORI CONCERT PARTY

Despite the dismal weather conditions prevailing, there was a fairly large audience in the Town Hall last evening when the Rev. A. J. Seamer’s Maori Concert Party made its final appearance in Dunedin. The entertainment provided was one which exercised an instant appeal, and the easy and unaffected manner in which the party carried out its items added an informal touch to the programme which was perfectly in keeping with its general characteristics. The first part of the entertainment was a depiction of Maori life in the kainga before the advent of the pakeha. The scene opened in the kainga with the Maoris busy with their basket and mat weaving. Strangers were heard approaching, and immediately the kainga was agog with excitement. Dressed as a warrior, the junior chief Wereta, rushed out with his weapons to discover whether the strangers were bent on war or peace, and, finding that their intentions were amicable, he reported to the people in,the kainga, who prepared to receive the visitors hospitably. Then commenced a colourful scene of speechmaking, and the singing of waiatas, and the chanting of ancient incantations, all in the Native tongue, which, with the picturesque Native dresses worn by the performers, created a truly entrancing scene. After the inevitable nose rubbing came the equaljy inevitable feast, the women bringing in the food in flax baskets, and a typical haka-kai, or food dance, was performed. The meal over, further speeches were made, and hosts and visitors settled down to a period of mutual entertainment, showing each other their favourite poi dances, all of which were performed to the accompaniment of ancient chants, and playing games of ti-ti-to-rea and matemate. The senior chief Pihama then instructed the younger members of the party in the singing of waiatas and the chanting of the many old incantations and instructional poems of the Maori race. Throughout this section of the entertainment the atmosphere of the ancient Maori kainga and its customs was maintained in a manner which proved absorbingly interesting, and. the audience was unstinting in its expressions of appreciation. The second part of the entertainment showed the Maori as he is to-day, the articles of Maori dress being supplemented with various portions of European attire. A varied and entertaining concert programme was presented on the same lines as the entertainment presented by the party in the Concert Chamber recently. The last section of the entertainment showed the Maori of the future, the performers being dressed in complete European attire, with the exception that the senior chief, and Chief Wanairangi, wore classic Maori cloaks indicating that the Maori of the future was clinging to the ancient lore and would always bo proud of his race.

The musical items presented in the latter sections of the programme were all on the orthodox score, although there was the iuimitable Maori intonation which gave them a character that was wholly charming. The concerted numbers were sung with admirable grace and richness of tone, and the various soloists acquitted themselves very creditably indeed. Several poi and wand dances were also presented, all being enthusiastically received by the audience. The vocal numbers presented included “ Hymn of the Old Church Choir,” by Hohepn Tulawhiao, Ratana Hymn, with English translation, by a quartet, “ Hold Thou My Hand.” by Airini Wereta (Chatham Islands) and Rangi I’cka (King Country ),.“ Nightingale of June ” and “ Danny Boy,” by Airini Wereta. A steel guitar solo “ The Rosary,” was played by Honi Wereta, and the singing of “God Be With You Till We Meet Again ” by the whole party concluded the programme.