MAORI MUSICAL TREAT

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVI, Issue 255, 13 November 1931, Page 8

MAORI MUSICAL TREAT

Concert Last Evening E XCELLE NT PROGRAR IM E PACKED HOUSE GREETS COLLEGIANS The New Zealand and Empire Shopping Week has been productive of several successful but, undoubtedly, the most enjoyable, so far. was the concert staged in the Municipal Theatre last evening. If the aim of the promoters was to provide an entertainment, which would banish dull care for an evening an install in its place a feeling of happy contentment, they succeeded admirably. Further, if a packed house is any indication of the impending return of prosperous times, then Shopping Week has more than succeeded in gaining its ultimate objective. The fact that the admission prices were of the pre-war variety may have accounted in some measure for the large house, but it was on its intrinsic excellence that the concert achieved its outstanding success. Not even the most captious critic could find anything to cavil at in the fine programme that was presented; the quality of the items was, ■without exception, of an extremely high order — a fact of which the audience was not slow in showing its appreciation. The appearance of a party of Te Ante College boys, who contributed the greater part of the programme, delighting the audience with their versatility and talent, made the evening a rare musical treat. Another special-feature was the presentation, for the first time, of an amusingly clever sketch, “Short Waves,” written by a resident of Waipukurau—Mr Jack Butler, a son of Mr James Butler.

The Waipukurau Orchestra made a welcome appearance, and, under the baton of Mr E. Malkin, played several delightful selections.

The programme opened with a chorus, “Te Ope Tuatahi,” sung by the Te Ante boys. The rich organlike harmony of the unaccompanied voices was a sheer delight, as in “Karu Karu,” “Annie Laurie,” and “Smiling Irish Eyes,” three other choruses. The boys also combined in several action songs—-notably “Pirangirangi Mai,” “Haere Haere ra,” “Ki Runga nga Puke,” and “E Pari Ra" —in all of which they displayed that perfect sense of harmony and rhythm characteristic of the Maori race.

An especially pleasing item was the solo “West Wind,” Mr Kaha Kohere’s mellow voice conveying, without apparent effort, all its poignant sadness. Another plaintive melody was “Blue Bird,” sung by Messrs W. Tibble, K. W'aaka, and W. Herewini, whose voices harmonised with the clear ringing timbre of a chime of bells.

Two amusing sketches were presented. the casts being as follow: — “End of the ’World": Messrs C. M. Bennett, J. Numa, W. P. T. Hunter and N. Kihi; “Lizzy”: Messrs C. Bennett, N. Kihi, W. Herewini, W. P. T. Hunter. Both were well acted, provoking roars of laughter. Mr C. Bennett caught the virile spirit of Kipling in his excellent rendition of “Gunga Din”—an item which met witii an enthusiastic reception. Messrs W. Hunter and C. Bennett displayed professional polish in their duet, “Babbling Brook,” sung ala Leyton and Johnson. The fascinating syncopation and harmony of this number made it a great hit. Messrs K. Kohere and Bennet were equally good in “Little Green Valley.”

A unique item was that of Mr J. Numa —a sinuous, Negro dance of the type that looks easy, but, when you come to try it, as one of the other members of the party was tempted to do, turns out to be “the hardest thing on earth.” One of the best items on the programme was Alfred Noyes's “Highwayman,” recited with telling dramatic effect by Mr W. P. T. Hunter. An interesting interlude was occupied with an exhibition of Maori games, explained by Mr C. Bennett. The Maori portion of the entertainment concluded with a grand haka, which drew rounds of applause from the audience. The role of entrepeneur and accompanist was brilliantly filled by the versatile Mr W. P. T. Hunter. The sketch, “Short Waves,” met with great success. Round an ingenious plot, full of awkward situations, the author had built up some really clever dialogue, none of the humour of which was lost by the talented cast, each member handling her part admirably. The cast was as follows : Claudia, a modern business girl, whose gift of a wireless set from her aunt, was not really a wire-

less set, but had been “translated,” as far as the practical effect of the money forwarded was concerned, into aa second-hand Ford, Miss E. Butler; Aunt Millie, the donor of the “wireless set,” who “disapproved of modern young women with cars,” Miss M. Stabler; Winnie, Claudia’s friend, and an impromptu and bogus broadcaster, who, however, was unable to stand up to the strain of reproducing China. Miss G. Major. Miss Gladys Fairweather was enthusiastically applauded for her neat and graceful performance of the intricate Highland Fling; also the ever popular Sailor's Hornpipe. Bagpipe music for this number was ably provided by Mr W. McKenzie. Mr L. Wood, the popular entertainer, was responsible for a good deal of amusement with his comic song, “House Hunting,” set to medley music, and gave as an encore number, “Four-and-Nine.” At the conclusion of the concert, Mr E. G. Dowrick, Chairman of the Shopping Week Committee, proposed a vote of thanks to the Te Ante College Boys and the local artists who had contributed to the evening’s success. The suggestion was responded to with prolonged applause. Latei’ the boys were entertained at supper by the ladies of the committee.