THE COMPETITIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 9

THE COMPETITIONS

SECOND DAY'S JUDGING IMPROMPTU SPEECH CONTEST WON BY MR G. H. BOYES The principal class on the programme presented yesterday at the Dunedin Competitions Society's festival was the impromptu speech contest, in which there were seven entries. The subject chosen was, " How Far Will Bluff Take You?" and the competitors, who were given one minute in which to collect their thoughts, were required to speak for six minutes. The subject gave the speakers an opportunity for humour and frankness, and the large audience displayed a keen interest in the competitors' efforts, which in each case were warmly received. _ , T „ The Concert Chamber, Burns Hall, and His Majesty's Theatre were used for the day sessions, and the programme presented at the theatre, in the evening contained, besides the impromptu speeches, vocal, instrumental, elocutionary, and dancing items, as well as a half-hour play. Mr J. u Gardiner presided. The following are the results:— IMPROMPTU SPEECH Judges: Mr J. R. Lester (Christchurch) arid Mr J. M. Paterson (Dunedin). Mr G. Hunter Boyes (Dunedin), 73 Mr°J? S. D. More (Dunedin), 71 Mr A? C. Toshach'(West Plains), 69 points J? Also competed: Miss Lynnton F. Baldwin (Dunedin), Messrs F. P. Evans (Dunedin), E. S. Tuckwell (Dunedin), C. L. B. French (Dunedin). Announcing the decision of the judges, Mr Paterson said he was sure the audience enjoyed the speeches. Unfortunately, some of the competitors treated the subject a little too seriously, and there were some who, while being humorous, did not touch the subject at all. Mr Lester and he agreed entirely in their decisions, and they had awarded first place to Mr Boyes who, all round, gave much the best treatment of the subject. He made his points simply and well, and was easy and graceful in both diction and manner. Mr Paterson added that he vvas.sure that all felt at first that Mr More was going to run out an easy winner, but he baulked the last fences and stopped after speaking for only four minutes when leading comfortably. Mr Toshach was also unfortunate in not gaining higher honours. He treated his subject well, but, unfortunately, he over-ran a good climax and spoiled his chance by greatly exceeding his time. In conclusion, Mr Paterson congratulated the speakers on the way in which they had met an awkward situation. ELOCUTION Judge: Mr J. R. Lester (Christchurch). RECITATION, SHAKESPEARIAN, ladies, "As You Like It," Act I, Scene 3. Miss Billie Robinson (Dunedin), 86 points 1 Miss Lexie Mathieson (Tomahawk), 83 points 2 Miss J. L. Keown (Mornington), 79 points 3 Also competed: Misses Maisie Ponder (Dunedin), Janet M. Pack (Invercargill), Alice Clarke (Dunedin), Billie Loan (Dunedin), Joy Knowles (Dunedin), Jean Lister (Musselburgh), M. R. Thompson (Dunedin), Joyce Ridley (Tainui), Daphne Violich (Wellington), C. H. Dreaver (Opoho), Patricia Stephens (Mornington), Frances Mitchell (Dunedin), Anzac Patton (Dunedin), Marjorle MTaggart (North-East Valley), Ngaire Walls (Dunedin), Ailsa Skinner (Ravensbourne), Nanna Newey (Ravensbourne), Edith Lunam (St. Kilda), and Kathleen Read (Christchurch) . Mr Lester stated that the selection was difficult, more especially as the performers had two characters to portray and were required to show their emotional reactions. SCHOLARSHIP FOR BOYS, 12 and under 16—(a) Test selection. " Messmates " (Henry Newbolt). The following competed: Masters Gordon Lamond (Wakiri), Sydney Davies (Musselburgh), Graham Dowic (Roslyn), John Calder (Dunedin), Ewan M'Ewan (Edendale), Mervyn Fay (Dunedin), Wilfred Bunting (Kaikorai), lan Wilson (Dunedin). Bobby Whale (Mornington), Fergus Still (St. Clair), and Tom Reynolds (Tomahawk). The second section (own selection) will be heard on Tuesday morning next and the final on Tuesday night. CHARACTER SKETCH, open to all, own selection. Miss Daphne Violich (Wellington), 81 points 1 Miss Billie Robinson (Dunedin), 80 points' 2 Miss Sybil Henderson (Mornington), 77 points 3 Highly commended: Misses Alice Clarke (Dunedin)* and J. L. Keown (Mornington). Also competed: Misses Joy Knowles (Dunedin), Kathleen Read (Christchurch), Lexie Mathieson (Tomahawk), Billie Loan (Dunedin), and Mr W. S Minehan (Timaru). Mr Lester said that in this section he had heard the best work done by the ladies so far, excluding the humorous section. Miss Robinson's selection had not given much scope for character work. RECITATION, gentlemen, open to all, "Ulysses" (Suzanne La Follette). Recalled: Messrs W. S. Minehan (Timaru) and Neil Ferguson (Dunedin). Also competed: Messrs R. S. M'Kenzie (St. Clair), Graham E. Duff (Dunedin), Harold G. Duncan (Dunedin), and C. N. B. French (Dunedin). The final will be heard to-night. VOCAL MUSIC Judge: Mr Victor C. Peters (Christchurch). VOCAL SOLO, ladies, own selection from light opera or musical comedy. Miss G. D. Cameron (Winton), 86 points 1 Miss Sheila Stevenson (Gore), 85 points 2 Miss Margaret Howden (Port Chalmers), 84 points .. ... 3 Very highly commended: Misses Ethel' Hadfield (Dunedin), Marie Campbell (Timaru) and Anne White (Dunedin). Highly commended: Misses Margaret Murray (Dunedin), Lola Houghton (Napier). Kathleen Read (Christchurch), Ivy Parker (Dunedin) and Melba Wilson (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses A. H. Aitken (Anderson's Bay). Audrey Moore

(Christchurch), Olive Biggs (Opoho), H. Williams (Dunedin), Ruth Millar (Dunedin), Elsie Kutcham (Dunedin), Nina Partridge (Christchurch), Molra Harris (Dunedin), Ann M'Kee (Dunedin), Millie Shrimpton (Dunedin), Mesdames M. Woodhouse (Dunedin) and D. M. Bochel (Anderson's Bay). Mr Peters said that the singing of the three competitors who were recalled presented a great contrast. An interesting feature of the section was the number of new voices, and some who had competed last year showed improvement. Miss Cameron had a beautiful voice with a delightful ring, and her singing gave one pleasure. Miss Stevenson had given one of the most delightful exhibitions of controlled staccato singing that he had heard for a long time. Miss Howden. of course, always sang well. VOCAL SOLO, ladies, open to all; (a) operatic air, own selection. The following competed:—Mesdames Leonard Cronin (Anderson's Bay), J. W. Allan (Macandrew Bay), M. Wood"house (Dunedin). Misses Sheila Stevenson (Gore). Mabel Urquhart (Dunedin), Lolo Houghton (Napier), A. H. Ailken (Anderson's Bay), Anne White (Dunedin), Audrey Moore (Christchurch). Margaret Howden (Port Chalmers), Marie Camnbell (Timaru). Margaret Murray (Dun--1 edin), Ethel Hadfield (Dunedin). and Dora Drake (Dunedin). The second portion (modern British art song) will be heard this afternoon, and the finalists will appear at night. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Judge: Mr Claude H. Davies (Christchurch). PIANO DUET, 16 and under 21; No. 1 "Norwegian Dances." op. 35 (Grieg). Miss Andreina Wright (Palmerslon) and Mr John H. Ellis (Port Chalmers), 87 points 1 Misses Olive and Ellice Nieper (Dunedin). 86 points 2 Highly commended: Miss Hope Jaffray and Mr Robert Matthews (Gore). Also competed: Misses Rona Simpson (Dunedin) and Islay M'Kellar (Alexandra), Mr W. R. Clarke and Miss Myrtle Cooper (Dunedin). At the morning session, said Mr Davies, he had told the competitors that the piece was so easy that they should try to give him more music. The result was that at night the recalled competitors had played beautifully, and both had gained three marks. His advice to competitors was: "We are here for music. Give me your own ideas, with plenty of light and shade." MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLO, "Orpheus With His Lute." Miss Ethel Hadfield (Dunedin), 85 points 1 Miss Margaret Murray (Dunedin), 84 points 2 These competitors were recalled on Tuesday. ~ t Mr Peters commented on the delicate control of numerous long phrases required in the song, which, he said, had been well presented by the placed competitors. DANCING Judge: Miss Rona Vaughan (Christchurch) . TAP DANCING, suitable for musical comedy, without apparatus, under 13. Recalled: Misses Gwen Bradshaw (Dunedin), Joy Gray (Dunedin). and Nancy Stewart (Dunedin). " Highly commended: Miss Thelma J. Rowe (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses Joan Higgins (Dunedin), Betty Keen (Kensington), Betty Palmer (Dunedin), Lorna Hewitt (Dunedin), June Isaac (Caversham), Pamela Page (Mornington), Joan Townrow (Outram), Olwyn Bryant (Caversham), Ngaire Moody (Dunedin), Shirley M'Cracken (Dunedin), Betty Black (Roslyn), Doreen Scoular (Musselburgh), Isabelle Hastie (Woodhaugh), Jessie Melrose . (Caversham), Irene Scott (N.E. Valley), Jeaji Blackie (St. Clair), Masters George Fleury (Dunedin), and -Trevor Phillipps (Dunedin). The final will be judged to-morrow night. BALLET DANCE, operatic, other than toe, 13 and under 16. Miss Gwen Cox (Concord), 92 points • • 1 Miss Daphne Morrison (Dunedin), 89 points 2 Miss Yvonne O'Neill (Kaikorai). 79 points 3 Very highly commended: Miss Joyce Rowley (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses Joyce Meinung (Dunedin), Rueena Wheeler (Dunedin), Mavis Rowe (Dunedin), Joy Vickery (Dunedin), Jean Alexander (Dunedin), Gwenneth Watson (Dunedin), Zoe Knight (Dunedin). and Valma Mercer (Dunedin). A number of the competitors showed great promise said Miss Vaughan. She considered that the winner gave an excellently finished item. Miss Morrison's performance was also extremely good. HALF-HOUR COMEDY The second performance in the halfhour comedy section, in which there are nine entries, was given by the Macandrew Bay Women's Institute, which presented " Ching-Chong." TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME An attractive programme should be presented at His Majesty's Theatre this evening, the sections to be decided including the half-hour comedy. "The Widows," piano duos, dance duos, vocal solos (ladies), operatic air, and British song, Shakespearian recitations, children's action chorus, violin solos, character dances, soprano and contralto solos, and duets, and recitations. At this morning's sessions piano duos, violin solos, soprano and contralto solos will be heard, and this afternoon's programme includes the vocal solos (modern British song) character dances, and dance duos. At ihe Concert Chamber to-day the prepared speech, Shakespearian recitations, and test recitations will be held. The box plans are at Begg's.