PEOPLE AND PLACES when te ao hou went to press, the opera ‘Porgy and Bess’ was still in rehearsal, and it was already clear that it would be a most exciting production. Inia Te Wiata (see photo above) had arrived from London to play Porgy, and the three Negro singers, Martha Flowers, John McCurry and Delores Ivory were here to take the parts of Bess, Crown and Serena. Two well known Maori singers have the other leading parts: the popular entertainer Toni Williams (see photo above, right) is Sportin' Life, and the singer Hannah Tatana (above, far right) is Maria. Here are the names of the singers taking other parts in the opera. All of these people also sing in the chorus. Their usual occupations—which cover a very wide range—are also given here: Isobel Whatarau Cowan, housewife, of Feilding, is ‘Clara’. Mark Metekingi, teacher, of Wellington, is ‘Jake’. Sam Stevens, teacher, of Auckland, is ‘Mingo’. Kahu (Nick) Karaitiana, carpenter, of Christchurch, is ‘Robbins’. Sid Reweti, clerk, of Wellington, is ‘Peter’. Tuta Kainamu, clerk, of Gisborne, is ‘Frazier’. Diana Winterburn, nursing sister, of Auckland, is ‘Annie’. Celeste Barker, housewife, of Rotorua, is ‘Lily’. Don Selwyn, teacher, of Taumarunui, is ‘Jim’. Rangi Hapi, signwriter, of Hastings, is ‘Crab Man’. John Denny, stevedore, of Christchurch, is the ‘Undertaker’. Other members of the chorus are: Thelma Keepa Grabmaier, clerk, of Wellington. Mary Reid, housewife, of Hastings. Peti Rei, housewife, of Rotorua. Margaret Kimura, receptionist, of Foxton. Melva Puki, nurse, of Rotorua. Lynn Wehipeihana, textile spinner, of Wellington. Hira Wainohu, housewife, of Hastings. Lorraine Bristow, training college student, of Wellington. Ngaire Karaka, teacher, of Auckland. Polly Tarawhiti, typist, of Wellington. Anne Baird, housewife, of Waipukurau. Newha Taiaki, civil servant, of Hamilton. Josh Gardiner, clerk, of Rotorua. George Henare, teacher, of Te Araroa. Edward Huriwai, ministry of works, of Rotorua.