THE COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 135, 3 March 1919, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

FINAL DEMONSTRATION CONCERT

A SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT,

A large audience assembled in the Town 801 l on Saturday evening to enjoy the final demonstration concert held in connection with the competitions. Two graceful pianistes, iiisses Gwendoline and Huia Shepherd, provided tho opening item, a rendering of the duct entitled "Italy." Little Miss Stella Chapman then related tho thrilling episode familiar to every child as the adventure of "Little. Red Riding Hood.' Her work was, as usual, distinguished bv a touch of real brilliance, despite the limitations of the subject. A reel o' lulloch, danced to tho skirl of _ tho pipes was the contribution of Misses Annie Curne, Rita Hands, Rene Taylor, and Jean M'Lachlnn. Miss Dorcen M'Clatchy dealt out brightly and snuppilv an airy nothing of song, entitled "Hullo, Tu- Tu." In "The Vicar's Presentation" Master Leith Riddell was very amusing. His imitation of a . young sentleman addicted to the "haw-haw" style of speech, was given to a running accompaniment of laughter from the audience. A number of Petone children, arrayed in scarlet coats and bearing hunting-crops, more or less tunefully sang "A Hunting We Will Go." Mr. P. Brady creditably delivered the baritone solo "Oberon in Fairyland," and two tiny tots, Fay Smyth and Bonnie Flannagan, made a huge success of tho duet in character, "No. Sir!" They appeared very daintily clad in tho raiment of a by-gone day, and treated in the most comical fashion a sketch that was greatly enjoyed Miss Ngaire Phipson, dressed as a'boy, recited "Seem* Things." which was u graphic .description of the terrors attendants on over-iudulgcnco at supper—a crime quite generally attributed to the iuvenile male. A sailor's hornpipe was excellently performed by Miss Lily O'Learv, but its .effectiveness was scarcely enhanced by the fact that it was done to bagpipe music. The rendering by Mrs. Haywood and Mr. 1 eliding of the duet "Awake" was appreciatively received. Miss Dorothy .Talbot gave a sympathetic pianoforte interpretation ot Chopin's "Ballade in A," and retired loaded with gifts from her admirers. "New Year's Eve" was a rather sordid tragedy, quite ' effectively presented by Mr V. Hargreaves. After hearing Master Winston M'Carthy sing "Cheero" the audience tried very. persistently to have the rule of "no encores" broken for once. It finally succeeded, and the little comedian's second number was a Maori version of "Tipperary." A 'cello solo "Scherzo" was played by Mr. U Jj ; Siuallbone, and "Hermioncs Defence was admirably recited by Miss L. C. Adams. In "A Clean Sweep (musical monologue), Mr. K. S. Dillon told a tale of mistaken identity sufficiently ."porous to evoke a good deal of laughter. Ui the remainder of the programme an outstanding item wns Miss Fanny kutners piesentment of the famous eccne from "Romeo and Juliet," in which Juliet takes the opiate. Miscellaneous items given in addition were: A violin solo, An (We," by Master J. H. Ridler; a selection bv tho Waiata Male Quartet; and a prepared speech, "King Albert ot. Belgium," by Mr. V. Evans Vocal solos were pleasingly delivered by the following: Mr. lly. Phipps t"Ei y Mavourncen'), Miss Ida Snelling "Last Bo* of Summer"), Mrs. Myrtle Haywood ( O Divine Redeemer"), and Miss V. M. Newman ("String of Pearls ).

Results Announced. The results of two competitive classes were announced in the course of the evening. They were as under:Original Poem-Miss F. A. Stevens lS OriKl' I 'Story.-Wilford Leicester (Wellington), 1; Harry A. Gilbert Dimedin). 2? Miss Rankin (Wellington), 3. It was explained in connection with the award for the original poem that Mm Stevens had sent m three poems, each of which had gained a place, lbus none of the other competitors in this class had taken a prize. On Saturday afternoon a successful matinee, in which the younger performers were engaged, was o 'iven before an 'attendance consisting largely oi juveniles.

Children's Matinee. A matinee performance- in the afternoon was given', almost exclusively by children, and naturally the audience did not lack contemporaries lx> clap their little hands and stamp their little feet in approval of the faro provided, lnis consisted of songs, character and straight, recitations, pianoforte solos, and duets, dances, oml humorous sketches, in all of which the children engaged— the- prize-winners of the compe-titions-shoivt-d particular aptitude, lhe dancimr was particularly good. Master Willie 'Croos is a lively' exponent ot the Bailor's hornpipe, and Eita Hands, who danced a sheantniibnas, was the acme ot airy grace. Little Fay Smith repeated her comic sketch of the stage-struck youngster, who has to wash the dishes, whilst burning for fcoflight fame; 'Miss Hulme repeated her pretty and intelligent recital of "Nini, Ninette, Ninon, and clever little Sinclair Breen, who has a lot of talent, as well as personality, recited very cleverly "The Pattern Child, without in the least suggesting that she is one. Master Searle was amusing in his "Soldier" song, and little Reno Taylor danced an Irish jig. A number of pretty children sang of the eternal glories of the seaside, and showed by their" "business" how well they had been trained. These- were only a few of the many items on a lon.fr and satisfying programme. As may bo guessed, the little,' ones were not forgotten by their friends in front, and flowers anil chocolates were handed over the footlights iii profusion to the tiny entertainers.