MAORI ENTERTAINMENT

Southland Times, Issue 22046, 20 June 1933, Page 5

MAORI ENTERTAINMENT

FAREWELL CONCERTS.

SPLENDID MISSION CHOIR.

It is a well-known fact that the Maori is a natural actor and is never happier than when he is entertaining himself or his friends, and that fact was amply illustrated last evening when the Maori Mission Choir entertained a very large audience in the Civic Theatre with songs, waiatas, poi dances, games and hakas. Although some members of the party were suffering from colds their singing was of a very high standard, the Chatham Island songstress, Airini Wereta, being really magnificent in several well-known numbers.

The large and enthusiastic audience was thrilled right at the outset by the weird Maori calls of greeting and hakas of welcome to the function. The members of the choir then took their places gracefully on the platform, reclining on their mats in typically Maori style, their native costumes greatly assisting in creating what, was an extraordinarily picturesque and romantic scene. The chanting in the opening scenes was of the ancient Polynesian type, to the European ear somewhat sad, but haunting.

The choir then , stood and completely changed the whole atmosphere by chanting perfectly in modern English style a selected psalm and the Lord’s Prayer. Swinging back again suddenly to Stone Age music, the party, sang that unequalled gem of the ancient waiatas “Te Waiata a Kupe” and the song “Our Polynesian Fathers.” This last item, particularly, held the audience spellbound, for it would be difficult to imagine a more harmonious or expressive rendering of this popular Maori patriotic song. The next item was spectacular, bright and fascinating—a traditional representation of the canoe poi dance in which perfect time was kept to the chanting of canoe chants and ocean songs. This series represented the voyage of the ancient Polynesian fathers from little Hawaiki to Aotearoa. Other songs, poi dances, games and hakas followed in quick succession, keeping the audience interested and delighted. Encores were not readily given, for the programme arranged was well balanced and the choir evidently desired to keep to its arranged order, but many times the audience was not to be denied. Amongst a series of 31 delightful items perhaps those most enjoyed by the audience were the groups of choruses and part songs and, of course, the solos by Airini, the Chatham Islands nightingale, who had a wonderful reception. She sang “Waiata Poi,” “Believe me if all those Endearing Young Charms” and “Annie Laurie.”

During the interval the Rev. O. S. Peam apologized for the absence of the Rev. A. J. Seamer, leader of the party, who was indisposed, and announced that a final farewell programme of an even more romantic and picturesque character, in which the chief soloists would take a prominent part, would be given in the theatre this evening.