COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 4

COMPETITIONS.

THE OPENING DAY. MUSIC, ELOCUTION, DANCING. AT THE TOWN HALL. Dull weather in strike times did not contribute a great deal of buoyancy to tho opening of the third annual festival of the Now Zealand Competitions Society, which commenced without fuss or flurry at the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall yesterday morning. Theso competitions are a soukp of unending delight to thoso who can find tho tiino to study first and compete afterwards, and aro mi questionably an intellectual recreation for tho general public. Indeed, it is quito believable that a percentage of tho public at least havo gained their first insight into the pleasures of good music and competent elocution through tho eagerness of their children to participate in theso competitions. They unquestionably tend to improve tho discriminating or critical faculty,. and whatever does that As helpful to higher artistic standard. Besides, they aro an aid to talent. Many a youth and maid of talent has lost opportunities in the past through not having a medium such as the competitions through which to express them* solves. Tho entries this year are satisfactory, and tho programme, as drawn up by the executive committee, i 3 packed with interesting and well-filled classes.

Yesterday's programme was quite a good one. Tho dialogues, taken in tho Concert Chamber, during tho afternoon, wero distinctly of a liich sta.n- j dard. Of tho fivo couples who com- I peted four selected scenes from Shakespeare's nlays. and the other was a scene from "David Copperfield," proving at onco that the taste of the competitors is_ improving. "The Charge of tho Light Brigade" was thundered, from a dozen male mouths in the morning, and in the afternoon the small boys carolled sweetly in the smaller hall. Tho humorous recitation evoked mild amusement; and tho pianoforte duet (for girls over 16) introduced some promising talent. The judges are as follow:—Elocution, dramatic, ' and oratory, Mr. C. N. Baeyertz; instrumental music, Mr. Harold Gregson; vocal music, Messrs. Gregson and Baoyertz; literature, Mr. Ohas. Wilson; dancing, Mrs. Jas. Hannah. Mr. Jas. Dykes is secretary, Mr. Ronald Lyon his assistant, and Mr. T. W. Brown is Btago manager. Tho following are the results of yesterday's competitions:— DRAMATIC RECITAL (GENTLEMEN) "The Charge of the Light Brigade " (Tennyson). Ist. prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. Entrants: Mr. Adolplius T. Peake, Wellington; Mr." Clement H. Pullyn, Wellington; Mr. Francis R. Picot, Wellington ; Mr. Frank M. Jenkins, Wellington; Dr. Norman St. C. Hales, Wellington; Mr. David P. M. Bemiet, Wellington ; Mr. Holland Andrews, Wellington; Mr. A. J. Mason, Pet one i Mr. H. C. Cottroll, Wellington; Mr.. R. A. Fernandez, Wellington; Mr. Alfred G. Lather, Wellington; Mr. Alfred Spencer, Wellington; Mr. Clifford B. Holmes, Pnlmorston North; Thomas Auton, Wellington. Recalls: Messrs. Picot, Hales and Spencer. 'Hon mention: Mr. A. J. Mason. Nover before In Wellington has tho "Charge" bean made with surfh variety of pace and action. The selector must have been in a gay mood when he chose Tennyson'-s war piece, which has been recited and Tecited until it is now the joke piece with all music-hall imitators. Still—one had to sustain "Tho Charge," dreadful and all as was the ordeal. Tho showing was very good on tho whole, though many did not havo the personality or dramatic forco t<« convince, there wero several who got mighty near tho idea. Much the best of the competitors wore Dr. Norman Hales who is magnetically dramatio and a fino voice and free style. Result—l, Dr. Hales, Wellington, 116 marks; 2, F. R. Picot, 100; 3, A. Spencer, 96. Tho judge said that this was an easy win for Dr. Hales, whose performance stood right out from the others. Ho had strength, magnetism, and reserve. HUMOROUS RECITATION. Own selection. Open only to competitors who have been resident in Wellington Province for tho preceding 18 months. Ist prizo, £1; 2nd, 10s. Entrants: Mr. A. J. Mason, Petono, "The Bush Christening"; Mr. L. W. Hanlon, Wellington; Miss Ethel Lissack. ' Wellington (own selection), "Neighbours"; Miss Pauline Brown, Otaki, "Jomina's Courtin'"; Miss Gwendolino ' D. Shepherd, "Buying Gloves"; Miss Gertrude' M'lnerney, Wellington, "My Dilemma"; Miss Ethel Mary Philips, Wellington; Miss Janio Petrie, Wellington; Mis 3 Mario Fix. Wellington, "Jest 'er Way" ; Miss Lydia Jessie V. Macdonald, Wellington; Miss Mavis Hall, Jolinsonvillo, " A Modern Locliinvar"; Miss G. V. Royling, Wellington; Miss Freda Beale, Wellington, " The Courtin' " ; Miss Amy M. Bender, Wellington, "Mary'.s Ghost" ; Mr. C. E. Madden. Pahiatua, "Der Dog and Der Lobster." Recalls- Misses Lissack, Paulino Brown, Gertrude M'lnernoy, and Miss Marie Fix. Honorary mention: Miss Janie Petrie and Freda Beale. The outstanding wonder of this class was tho number of young girls who had an erroneous idea that they had a facility for reciting humourous _ verso. Anyone with a memory and a voice can ' malco a deccnt shot at "Littlo Jim or "Curfew Shall not Ring To-night," but a special gift is heeded to recite humorous verso. Some of tho competitors made their funny poems quite serious and got through without convoying a gleam of comedy to tlw' silent au«icnco. Not evon the judge smiled. Miss Lissack was quite good in her effort particularly good was shejn outlining the various characters in "Neighbours.' Miss Janie Petrie recited with real intelligence, but did not exude humour. Miss Mario Fix, who selected the American "Jest 'or Way" dialect pieco, was not in her line. Her voice is more suited to tho reciting of emotional verse. She had not tho comedy "lift." Miss Revling had a good voice, spoke clearly, ' and with distinction, hut marred all by speaking too_ rapidly. Miss Paulino Brown was good in "Jemima's Courtin'." Sho is a bright intelligent girl, with an outlook that has not boon cramped by her long residence in Otaki. Sho is a natural soubrctto, and wins on her style and appearance. Little Mis." Freda Beale, who rccited the same piece a3 Miss Brown, was really capital. She has a fine bold vitality, and gets an oxcellont sense of humour into her voice. Tho male competitors disclosed no giants in comedy. Tho selection of pieces in this class denoted a restricted outlook. . In announcing tho recalls, Mr. Baoyertz said that ono of the most general faults was that tho competitors would not talk naturally—they recited all tho time. If it is an old woman, or a small boy, tho competitor should talk as they would talk in real lifetalk naturally. Result—l, Miss G. M'lnernoy, Wellington, 107 marks; 2, Miss Mario Fix, Wellington, 105; 3, Miss P. Brown and E. Lissack (brackctod), 100 marks. Mr. Baoyortz said that tho selections given were not very humorous, and that was, after all, tho chief desideratum. BOY'S RECITATION. Recitation (boys under 12). Tost Piece: "My Ship and I," from "A Child's Garden or Voroos," R. L. Stev-

enson. Ist prizo, Silver Medal; 2nd, Bronze Medal.

Entrants —Master Edward Smith, | Wellington; Master Francis M'Parland, Wellington; Master Eric Fisher, Wellington; Master Noel Manthel, Wellington; Master Eric Pankhurst, Wades- j town; Master Leitk Alex Xtiddell, Wei- 1 lington; Master Basil Clisby { Wellington; Master George Bezar, Wellington; Master It. Boveridgo, Wellington; Master Alfred Lancaster, Kilbirmo; Muster Eric Warren, Wellington; Master Edward Quill, Wellington. Recalls —Masters Eric I'ankliurst, Riddell, and It. Boveridgo, "My Ship and I" (It. L. Stnvonson) was a charming choico for small boy elocution. It has tho right breezy spirit that must appeal to a boy, and is good tripping verse. One lad startled the audience with a cavernous, husky voice, but ho had a fine, bold delivery, and would have been hoard all over tho big hall. Another sweet-faced lad dressed the part in sailor blue, and recited Stephenson's lines with marked intelligence. Ho made one comic blunder in pronunciation. The verse concludes ivith tho line—"And to fire tile penny cannon in tho hois'!" Tho last word, which of course means tho bow of the ship he pronounced "bow" as if it were a necktie. Another youth recited tho whole of tho piece on one note. Ho went a little flat at the end. Still another boy was pedantic in- the extremo in his pronunciation. He pronounced voyage—' voi-age," and cannon most distinctly "can-lion," aB though they woro compounded words. In announcing tho Recalls, Mr. Baeyertz stated that ho would like to mention about one littlo boy, who had been over-taught. He would say a-saihng (emphasis on the. "a"), and a-turning voy-age, and other words of a like character. He was a clever and intelligent boy, who had evidently been taught to do as he had dons. He was honourably mentioned. Had it not been for that affectation, or whatever it was, he Would have been much higher upResult —1, Master L. A. Riddell, Wellington, 101 marks; 2, Master Eno I'ankliurst, Wellington, 93 marks; 3, Master It. Beveridge, Wellington, 90 In this class the judge remarked that the chief fault was the incessant emphases on conjunctions —a, and, with, and so on, and the dropping of the voice at commas, where it should bQ sustained. BOYS' SONG. Song (hoys under 14). Own selection. First prize, silver medals; second, bronze medal. Entrants —Master Michael O'Sullivan (Wellington). Mostor Ernest Seon-Brown (Dunedin), Master Kenneth . Hassall (liilbirnie), Master Leo Dwaft (Wellington), Master Rodney Pankhurst (Wadestown), Master Alfred Kohn (Lower Hutt), Master Frank Griffin (Wellington), Master Frank B. Gamble (Wellington), Master Bennie O'Brion (Wellington), Master Leo Tibbutt (Wellington), Master Douglas AVood (Masterton). Recalls—Masters Brown, Pankhurst, and O'Brien.. Honorary mentionMasters Kohn, Griffin, and Tubbutt. Besides thoso recalled and honour* ably mentioned, the judge said_ there were, other nice readings, but which for various reasons fell short.

Result —*1, Master E. Seon-Brown, 121 marks; 2, Master Rodney Pankhurst, 116; 3. Master Bennio O'Brien, 105. ' '

The winner, said Mr. Baoyortz, mado too much of his chest register. Ho should pay moro attention to his head register. Ho clioss a good song, his accent was good, and his phrasing oxcellont. The second boy was most artistio, but not at tho opening, when his voice was shut up in the trachea. All three voices wore good.

DIALOGUE. Dialogue (under 21). Not in Character. Own selection. First prizo, £1 10s.; second, 15s. Entrants —Miss Marie .Fix and Miss G: Shepherd, Wellington; Miss Paulino Brown and Mr. Ken. Siiornoy; Miss Mavis Hall and Mr. F. R. Pioot, Wellington : Miss Cecilo Haines and Master Leonard Power, Wellington; Mr. B. Grant and Miss Mario Fix, Wellington. Recalls—Miss Mario Fix and Miss G. Shepherd, Sliss Cecilo Haines and Master Leonard Power, and Miss Fix and Sir. E. Grant. A very good standard was sot by the first pair—Miss Pauline Brown and Mr. K. Sliomey, who presented tho scene between Miranda and Ferdinand, from tho third act of Shakespeare's "Tempest." Miss Brown acted very prettily, and spoke her lines with lively intelligence. Mr. Shorney was inclined to be slightly ovor-dramatic for what is really a very charming love scene merely, still his voice, delivery, and enunciation were all good. Misses Fix and Snppherd spoke the scene bewteen Portia and Nerissa, from "Tho Merchant of Venice" (immediately preceding tho casket scene). Miss Fix epoke tho lines of Portia brightly enough, but there was no trace of subtlety, and the comedy of the exquisite linos did not reach the audience. Miss Shepherd wag rathor colourless as Nerissa. Neithor girl attempted to act beyond a trifling gesture or two. Moro Shakespeare was provided by Miss Mavis Hall and Mr. Picot, who gave an acceptable reading of the sceno between liichard and Queen Elinor, from "Richard III." Mr. Picot's elocution was oxcellont, and he infused considerable vitality ahd dramatic expression into his reading. Miss Hall was.. fairly effective as the distressful Queen, Another capital sceno was that between David Copperfield and tho waiter, from Dickens's story, cleverly acted by' tiny Cecilo Haines and Master Leonard Power. The clever little girl, who has an abundant natural humour, acted tho rolo of the diminutive and unsophisticated schoolboy very aptly, and with a shrewd appreciation of Dickens's humour.

Miss Fix appeared again with Mr. E. Grant in tho casket sceno from "Tho Merchant of Venice." Miss Fix's vocal range is limited—sho lacks variety of tone to give exprossion to her intelligence and tho author's intention. Yet, she has a pleasing personality and a very nice elocutionary sense. Mr. Grant was a very presentable Bassanio, spoko his Shakespeare well, but was inclined to hurry along and so bccamo a triflo inconsequential. In delivering judgment Mr. Baoyortz said he was confronted with a rather difficult task. It was well known that in dialogues not in it was not permissible to use properties, and in tho scene in which Miss Haines was concerned, plates, serviettes, etc., wero used. That was quite illegitimate unless tho scene was "in character." He had resolved to givo them another chance to do the sceno legitimately. Ho thought that clemency could be extended because they were only littlo children, and it was only fair under the circumstances. If they had beeii adults ho would havo ruled them out. Result —1, Miss Mario Fix and Mr. E. Grant, 101 marks; 2, Miss Cecile Haines and Master L. Power, 93; 8, Miss Mario Fix and Miss Shepherd, 90 marks. Tho judgo repeated his remarks of tho afternoon with regard to tho uso of "properties" in dialogues, which were used as a peg on which to hang a humorous story. Ho congratulated tho winners. PIANO DUET. Piano Duet (over 16). Test Pieco: "Andaiito coii moto" (Symphony in C) Schubert: Arranged by TJlrich. Ist prizo, £2; 2nd, £1. Entrants —Misses Kathleen Oresswel) and Jean Burrows, Ashbnrton and Ohristchurch; Misses Blacklock and Green, Wellington and Palnierston; Misses Gwen. Shepherd and Miss Huia Shepherd, Kilbirnie. Result —1, Missea Kathleen Cresswoll and Jean Bunowes, 132 marks; 2, Misses Blaoklook and Groon, 127 marks;

3, Misses Gwen. Shepherd and Huia Shepherd, 120 marks. In announcing tho result Mr. Gregson said that on tho whole fairly good performances had been given. Tho winners showed good tempo, a sliado on tho slow sido. They piaved ivell together, but wero a trilto mechanical, and had not a sufficient regard for tho orchestration of tho piece. Most of such pieces were transcriptions of orchestral music, and in playing them on tho pianoforto duo regard should bo paid to tho value of tho various instruments. Breathing, too, is important—players should learn to breathe when tho instrumentalists would breathe —when the bowing changes. Insufficient attention was given to tho inner melodies. The ensemble was distinctly good. Tho second prize winners played well, but they wore on tho slow side —it was marked con moto. They played very carefully—a littlo more abandon would have been an improvement —they wero too reserved. TENOR SOLO. Tenor Solo—"Devotion" (Schumann). Entrants—Mr. John Boyce, AVeliington; Mr. Frank A. Bryant, Potone. Result—l, Sir. J. Boyce, 115 marks; 2, Mr. E. A. Bryant, 110. In giving his decision in this class, Mr. Gregson said that both competitors should have takon tho song quicker, as suggested in tho oditorial noto — vivace. Neither was a tenor. _ They I wero light baritones. The winner's voico was not yet properly developed, ospecially in tho top register, but it was J of good quality. ; SOPRANO - SOLO, ! Soprano Solo—"How Shines the Dew" (Rubinstein). Entrant—Miss Annie E. Potrie, Wellington. Result—Miss Potrie, 107 marks (no ; prize).