TAIERI COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23691, 26 September 1940, Page 6

TAIERI COMPETITIONS

ANNUAL FESTIVAL Mr A. F. Quelch presided at last night’s session of the Taicri Competitions festival, which was continued in the Mosgicl Town Hall. The programme consisted of character and stage dancing, action songs, piano, adult sacred solos, plnyettcs, and Shakespearean recitations. Results; Tap Dancing (under nine, six entries). —Eileen Healy 1, Shirley Stewart 2, Tui Bain 3. Also competed: June Bryce, June Stewart, and Beverley Holland. Operatic Dancing (12 and under 16, three entries). —Shirley Stewart 1, Audrey Edmond 2, Morva Hughes 3. Action Song (under 12, recalls from Monday evening).—Joan M‘limes 1, Betty Applegate 2, Hilary Mason and June Tregilgus v.h.c. One of the best classes so far presented. Most of the competitors gave delightful presentations, with effective costuming and commendable stagecraft. The winner had a voice of sweet natural quality, and was most artistic, Operatic Dance (under nine, four entries) —Joy Scott 1. June Stewart Shirley Stewart, and Tui Bain (equal) o Rlayette (six players, under 12, two entries). —Mrs E. Lobb’s pupils, ‘The Whisker,’ 1; Miss M. Smellie’s juveniles, ‘ A Glimpse of Fairyland,’ 2. “An excellent section for training children in play work,” was the judge’s comment. The winning playette showed a great deal of thought, and the young performers entered thoroughly into the spirit of it. They were to be congratulated. Character Dance, not to include ballot, Greek, or Eastern (under 14, nine entries).—Helen Fraser and Beverley Wix (equal) 1, June Tregilgus 3, Shirley Stewart and Audrey Edmond (equal) 4; Ngaire Holland v.h.c., Byril Price h.c. Also competed; Morva Hughes and Lorna Prattley. Action Song (12 and under 15, recalls from Monday.—Joan M'lnnes 1, Betty Applegate 2, Hilary Mason v.h.c. There was some excellent characterisation in this section. The winner had good sense of stage. Her work was very graceful and charming. The second prize winner presented an interesting character sketch, but her make-up did not suggest age, as it should have done.

Action Song, in character (15 and under 18), one competitor.—Dorothy Mutch, 1 Cherry Ripe.’ Tap Dancing'(l2 and under 16. three entries). —Audrey Edmond 1, Shirley Stewart 2, Blanche Martin 3. Recitation, Shakespearean (14 and over not in costume).; —Miss Nessie Holland 1, Mr D. Mitchell and Mrs Dorothea Wornall-Smith (equal) 2, The judge said that the standard in this section was greatly improved on last year’s. Sacred Solo (men or women). —Miss Jessie Thomson, ‘When I Survey,’ 1; Mr W. L. Cate, ‘ A Legend,’ 2; Miss Joan Oliver, ‘ Ave Maria,’ 3. A good section, the judge said. The winner’s tone was’ true and well controlled. Her intepretation was reverential and pleasing, but she could have made more of her nuances. The second prize winner had a delightful tone quality, but his work lacked conviction in its interpretation.

Commenting on the programme submitted the previous evening, the judge said that the competitors in the piano solo (12 and under 14 years) showed evidence of careful training. This was a good class. The winner gave an effective interpretation, with pleasing lilt and nicely-marked nuances. In the song (girls, 15 and under 18), the winner had a most pleasing natural voice with definite possibilities. Her interpretation had a natural charm. The second prize winner, gave a very good interpretation, but needed to develop better tone quality. In the vocal duet (any voices; 15 and under 18) the singers had good blend and balance, and a sweet tone. They showed promise of doing good work with further training. The final session for this week will he held to-night, when the Rev. G. Densem will preside. The programme will consist of tap and operatic dancing, dance duo. adult elocution, and one-act plays. The demonstration concert will be held on October 3. when the prizes will ho presented by the mayor (Mr W. P. Hartstohge).