THE COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 130, 26 February 1919, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

SOME INTERESTING CLASSES

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

The'success of the competitions, at the Town jknll continues to be maintained. There were large audiences yesterday at the afternoon olassos, and another very large audience enjoyed the capital performance given in the evening. The results of yesterday's cla:-3es were ns i'oliow :—

Recitation, girls (I) and under 12). "Queen Mnb" (Hood).—Result: Ngojro Phipsou, 1311 points, 1; Hazel iiarilwicke, 133 2; Jiomii l.iifussi and Joyce Julian, equal, 137, 3. Highly commended: Tlielma Aitken and Betty Jlenard. Commended: Dovis Neale, Gladys Meier, Ruby Hall, Ethel Brice, Grace Henderson,' tiilie Ashby, and Jeati Sutherland. Irish Jig, in costume, boy or giri (under 12).— Final: Renee Taylor, 85 I points, 1: Willie Brown, 78, 2; Ronald I Brown, 72, 3.. Sailor's Hornpipe, in costume, boy or girl (12 and under 16).—Final: Lily O'Leary, 95 points, 1; Doreen M'Clarchy, 94, 2; 'Elsie Burns, 92, 3. Piano Solo, reading nt sight (under Id Test to be selected by the judge.— Result: Leith Riddell, 127 points, 1; Gwendoline Wing, 123, 2; Ada L. Huggins 112, 3. Humorous Character Sketch, ladies or gentlemen. Open class. Own selection.— Recalls: Miss Fanny TCutuer, "The Landlady"; M<r. V. Evans and Mire Doris Stevens, "The Vanquished Villain"; Miss Ethel Griffiths. "Mm. Mmnliv on Honesty"; Miss Mabel Gnllichan and Miss Helen Miller, "A Cheerful Companion." Irish Song, gentlemen. Oirn selection. Final: Harry Phipps,'l3o points, 1; W. B. Brittenden, 122, 2; K. S. Dillon, 115, 3. Soprano Solo, "Message of Lovo" (Gounod).—Recalls: Mies Cicely Audibert (Chrietchttrch); Miss Edith M. Peterson (Wellington). Final: Miss Cicely Audi'berl, H-5 points, 1; Miss Edith Paterson. 137, 2. ' ■' Girls' Song. Own election.—Nellie Amies, 141 points, 1; Ei'.een Macarthy, (Miramar). 136, 2. I'iaiio Duet (13 and under. 16). Own selection.—Final: Leone Wright and Alice ITamiiim. 139 points, 1; Enid Horton and Esina Gates, 134, 2.

Children's Chorus (under 12);' minimum of twelve voices. Own selection.—Final: Mrs. Menard'f School, 135 points, 1; Aro Mis'ion School, 1,13. 2. Character Recital (gentlemen).—Final F. Hargreaves, 103 points, 1; Joseph Green. 160. 2; Vryn Evans, 149, 3. Story Without Words.-'The Wife's Choice," 1; "Day at tho Races," 2; "In a Railway Train", , ' 3. Children's - Play.—''The Ladies' Academy, 1; "The Never Never' Larfd," 2; "Princess Tenderheart" and "The. Sewing Society" (equal), 3.

Classical Dialogue (ladies or gentlemon). Own selection.—Final: Misses Fanny TCutner and Doris Stevens, 145 points, 1; Mr. K. S. Dillon and Mr. HarI greaves, 1-M, 2: Misses F. Snel! and Alexa Elton, 133, 3. THE EVENING PERFORMANCE. The evening performance opened with a comedietta entitled-"Hiss Patty, - ' fairly well acted by Misses L. Nichols and M. Lawtoii, and Mr. L. Inch. The latter acted rather well the part of an infuriated but lovesick eea-.captain, but his make-up suffered by the straggly appearance of his beard. Two little girls mid two boys showed light toes aud joyous heels in the Irish jig, which was danced, curiously enough, to the nighland pipes. . The boys showed a truer and livelier aptitude'l'or'real jig steps than the girls. ' There were two entries only for the children's chorus competition. Mrs. Menard's pupils, arrayed in white, sang "When tho Flag Goes By" with admirable expression, and the Aro Street Mission School children saug "Sweet and Low," but not so truo to pitch as did their rivals. For the piano duet for competitors between the ages of 13 and II) years, the two recoils were' both from l'etone. Misses Leone Wright and Alico Hannam played, with commendable time and touch, Weber's "Invitation to the' Waltz," and Misses Enid Morion and Esma Cates pluyed "Flight of the Gipwes" with commendable spirit. In the girls' song (under 16) little Nellie Amies, who snug' "Dawn, Gentle Flower," displayed quite an oxceptionaly sweet and matured mezzo-soprano voice, wonderfully even throughout the' registers, nni!-extraordinarily pure and strong below the stave. One would not be at all surprised lo hear ol this young lady developing ii fine contralto voice. Tho most fascinating- of all the juvenile dancers the competitions have produced is little Doreen M'Clatchy, who in addition to being ah extremely neat and dainty dancer, has an ideal stage presence. Her sailor's hornpipe was tho best dancing item on the programme last, evening. ■ Again the monotonous pipes wero drawn upon for tho music of tho hornpipe. Tho pianoforte would have, been preferable. Gounod's melodious waltz song, "The Message of Love," was charmingly sung by Miss Cicely Audiberr, of Chrietclmrch, in the Eop'rano class. Ibis song, with its many runs, ami difficult gradations, is a severe test for young singers. _ The singer mentioned sang with airy grace, mid invested the number'with much youthful charm. Miss Edith Paterson also essayed the song. In the character recital, Mr. Vryu. Enws donned the sable of Hamlet, and delivered tho famous .soliloquy commencing "Q, what a rogue and peasant slayo am I," which lie delivered with considerable intelligence. Mr. P. Hargrenves (of Greymouth), in ii telling make-up as an <i»«l dipsomaniac, recited "New Year's Evo" (by Robert Service), with line restraint and a sound realisation of what an alcoholic wreck on the "Slope" might bealtogether an admirable bit of work probably the best bit of dramatic character reciting in tho competitions. Mr. Joseph Green gave a new version of "The Italian and the Rose" (not so elfeel ivo as the original). His accent and expression were very good indeed. It was a case of thn reciter's talent being worthy of a better medium. In the Irish soil!? class for gentlemen, Mr. K. S. Kelvin, hitherto known only., as a reciter, bloomed as n Singer, with indifferent success.' He sang "The Song of the Backwoods " Mr W. B. Brittenden, of Christcluirch, san» 'For the Green" with fervour, and ad" mirable expression was given to "Believe Mo if All Those . Endearing Youii" Charms," bj Mr. Harry Pliipps, of Wellington, who was awarded the first prize by a discreet judge. The comedMta, I he New Hat," gave Misses Mabel Gallichan, Flo. Gow, Frances Snel], and Mr. 0. Zorn opportunities for clever characterisation. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME.' To-day's programme will include the following classes:—Humorous recitation, boy or girl (12 and under 1G); operatic solo, soprano, and mezzo-soprano; patriotic song for gentlemen; vocal duet, for ladies; quarter, for ni.ile voices; duct in character; New Zealand test recital, for gentlemen. Special demonstration nights, with programmes by the best performers in the competitions, will take place to-morrow evening, and on Friday and Saturday evenings. Where will also be a special matinee for children on Saturday afternoon. The gold medals won during the season are to be presented on Friday evening.