TAIERI COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 22456, 29 September 1936, Page 1

TAIERI COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

CONCLUDING SESSION The Rev. Hugh Graham presided over a very large attendance in the Coronation Hall last evening at the concluding session of the Taiori competitions festival. The lengthy programme was carried through promptly, and prizes (accompanied by bouquets or gifts) were awarded as the evening progressed. The programme was as follows: Bagpipe selection, march, Mr Kenneth Christiansen: piano solo, under 10, Miss Clarice Wylie; violin solo, under 13, Master Edmund Butler; song, under 11, Miss Beverley Swallow; piano solo, 10 and under 12, Master Desmond Mann; recitation, under nine, Miss June Tregiigus; school choir. Outran! School Choir; piano solo, 12 and under 14, Miss Marjorie Hold away; violin solo, 13 and under 18, Master Bill Borrow; song, 11 and under IG, Master Tom. Mutch; tap dance, nine and under 12, Miss Betty Keen; operatic dance, under nine, Miss Joan Keen; operatic dance, nine and under 12, Miss Joan Townrow; recitation) under nine, Miss Coral Stevenson; piano duet, under 11, Phoebe Mitchell and Clarice Wylie; action song, under 16, Miss June Donaldson; vocal solo, ladies, Miss Marion Duncan; Highland fling, 10 and under. Miss Rao Garland; scan triubhais, under 15, Miss Loraine MacPherson; Irish jig, under 15, Miss Alma Metcalf; piano solo, 14 and under 16, Miss Hilda Crozier; song, 11 and under 16, Miss Audrey Ramsay: church choir, North Taieri Presbyterian Church; recitation, 11 and under 14, Miss Verna Williams; vocal duet, under 16, Nbela Borrow and lona Livingstone; piano solo, 16 and under 18, Miss Joyce Ford: recitation (humorous), under IC, Miss Agnes Holland; vocal solo, gentlemen, Mr J. R. Bennett; recitation, 14 and under IS, Miss Jean Malcolmson; playette, ‘The Diamond Brooch,’ the Juvenile Players; jhano duet, 15 and under 18, Hilda Crozier and Joyce Ford; recitation (humorous), 16 and over, Miss Margaret Swallow; character Sketch, 16 and over, Miss N. Young; recitation (not humorous), over 18, Miss N. Smellio; onc-act play, ‘ The Old Bull,’ North Taieri Bible Class. The judge of the one-act play (Mrs Wakefield Holmes) said that in all seven one-act plays of varying merit were presented and certainly the general standard of acting was a distinct advance on that of last year. It, was a pity that more attention was not paid to the choice of plays, for in someinstances at least the performances showed that tho players were worthy of something better. In many cases tho acting was better than the production. The grouping and movement were often cramped and not enough use was made of the stage. What players should avoid was Jack of pace and variety of tone. In almost every play there was some outstanding performance. ‘ The Old Bull ’ and ‘ Sanctuary ’ were placed first (equal). ‘ The Old Bull ’ was a well-constructed play, calling for good characterisation. The cast was a good one, the outstanding character being that of _ Charles. ‘ Sanctuary,’ a very good choice for an all-woman cast, was noteworthy for an even performance, good grouping, and use of the stage. ■ Miss Mackenzie made a few final comments on the elocution section, mentioning tho improvement since her first adjudication two years ago. There was evidence of good, sound tuition. The playettes had proved most enjoyable. Miss Mackenzie paid a well-deserved tribute to the committee which had so successfully controlled the festival. The Rev. W. Wilson Ewart (president) said that he would like to express the tkanks of the committee for the wonderful support tho public had given it in its effort to encourage local talent in this district, and also to all the competitors who had taken part therein. In every class the judges had been emphatic that the standard of the performers had been of a very high order, and the enthusiasm shown by them spoke well for the success of future festivals. _ He expressed the regret of the committee on the lateness of some of the sessions, and promised that this would bo rectified next year. To the judges, to the official accorapaniste (Mrs L. B. Borrow). to the various chairmen who had so efficiently performed their duties on tho nights allotted to them, and to the energetic secretary (Mr E. Mason) the thanks of all concerned were due. SPECIAL PRIZES. Special prizes presented by Mr Mazengarb to the youngest members of playettes;—‘The Gipsy’s Treasure,’ Miss Swallow’s juniors; and ‘The Fairy Riddle,’ by four small players. Elocution Championship : —Miss June Tregiigus and Miss M. Swallow (equal). Mr Mazengarb’s prize for highest marks in .any class in elocution : —Miss Nancy Young.