WESTLAND COMPETITIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1928, Page 1

WESTLAND COMPETITIONS

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL DAY. Yesterday was another very successful day at the Princess Theatre where - the Westland Competitions Society is ’ holding its third annual gathering. > The attendance for early morning was ; substantial, while at night the buildI ing was crowded as for a demonstration i concert. Excellent fare was provided, - and the remarks of the judges on the ■ greatly improved quality was well evi- - deuced by tbe many fine performances. . A number of sections were finalised yesterday, as will be seen from the rci suits list below. Interest in the dancing was heightened greatly by a number of Greymouth contestants. This was again a very pleasing section, and much delight was afforded. The senior playettes having been disposed of on the previous evenings, the juveniles belli the hoards last night. Three I playettes were produced, and here I again there was evidence of the talent I and resource of the local rising gener- 1 ation. The three plays all carried J conviction and were a most pleasing I innovation to the programme. One of I the outstanding sections of the whole Competitions proved to be tbe ladies’ I recitation (own selection). Six competitors appeared in the afternoon, all doing excellently, matter and diction I being admirable in all instances. Four were recalled for the evening, and the I performers excelled themselves, and well deserved the praise meted out by the judge. The marks recorded indicn-1 ted how close this unusually fine contest was. The little tots also did well, and the uniform success of “ A Pair of Twins” will be long remembered. In the musical section there were also good items, and certainly entertaining. Altogether, the day’s programme was I of a very high standard, indicating the I advance being made through the I efforts of the Society. The sessions began yesterday at 9.30, and although I it was just after 11 o’clock last night I before tbe last word was said, practically tbe whole of the crowded audience I remained to the end. During the evening, the President I acknowledged the support extended to I the Competitions from Greymouth, and expressed pleasure at the good feeling I between the two towns so happily I displayed. | RESULTS. , Recitation, under 7, “A Pair oil 'Twins.” Finals.—First, Ida AlaeDon-| aid 77; second, Jackie Brown, 70; V.H.C., Patricia Wells, June Ann-I . strong. s Recitation in Character, 12-15, 4 I entries. First, N. Worniington, I “Prince Edward,” 78; second, Joy I Ward, “Prince Arthur,” 71; H.C., I Edna Fowler, Mary McGavin. |

Children’s Dialogue, 12-15 years, 3 entries.—First, Joy Ward and Edna Fowler, “Alice and the Mad Hatter,” 65; second, M. McGavin and V. Ross, “Peter Pan and Wendy,” 58.

Ballet, Pas do Soul, under 10, 4 entries.—First, Joyce Andrews, 75; second equal, Constance Staines and Mona Murphy, 74. Action Chorus, one entry.—St. Mary’s Convent girls. Violin Solo, 9-12 years, “Mazurka,” one entry.—First, Colin Goad. Character Dance, under 12, 10 entries.—Recalls: Constance Staines, Betty Cooke, Dorothy Smart, Florrie Hall’. Contralto Solo, “ A Song Remembered,” one entry.—First. Miss f>. Knight. Piano Solo, “La Castagnette,” one entry.—First, Miss 11. Jacobs. Classic Ensemble, over 14, one en-try.—-Mrs Stnveley’s pupils “Anita’s Dance.” Musical Monologue, 15-18 years, 2 entries.—First, Nancy Wood, 79; sec- j ond. Daisy Marshall, 68. Piano Solo, 7-9 years, “ Dance of the Gnomes,” one entry.—First, Edward Stoop. Musical Monologue, 12-15 years, 4 entries.—First, N. Worniington, “The Toy Gun,” 79; second, Joy Ward, I “ The Toy Gun,” 77. V.H.C., Mary I McGavin, Edna Fowler. Girl’s Song, 9-14 years.—Finals: First, Dorothy Stopforth, “ Fairies at I the Bottom of our Garden,” 74; see-I ond, Tui MacDonald, “ A Farewell,” I 73. Recitation, ladies, own selection, 6| entries.—Recalls: Airs Windsor, Miss I Evans, Miss Knight, Miss Veale. I V.H.C., Miss King, Mrs Srliov. Reading at Sight, 15-18, 2 entries.— First, Jean Dowell, 65; second, Daisy I Marshall, 64. T UESD A Y EVENI NO. Juvenile Oration, 1 entry.—Daisy I Marshall, “ Welcome Homo,” by Lord I Roseberry. I

Girls’ Song, 14-18, 4 entries.—First, Ada Lynn, “Advice,” 81 ; second, Alary Mc'Girr, “The Blackbird’s Song,” 73. Character Dance, under 12.—Final: First, Constance Staines, “Puck,” 8G; second, Betty Cooke, “ Tambourine,” 85.

Classic Ensemble, over 14, 1 entry. —Mrs Stnveley’s pupils, “ Anita’s Dance.”

Classic Solo, under 10; repeat by request.—Jacqueline Reeves, “ Love in a Mist.”

Own Selection Recitation, Men, 4 en-tries.—-First, Mr AY. McGrath. 75 ; second, Mr P. McGrath, 73; H.C., Q. Mellroy, J. Stopforth.

Instrumental Trio, 3 entries.—First Misses G. Jacobs. R. Jacobs, and A Mclntosh, 78; second. Misses G Jacobs, A. Token and M. Knowles, 75

Recitation, open, ladies.—Final: First equal, Miss Veale, “ White Roses.” and Miss Evans, “ The Losing of a Soul,” 72; third equal. “Airs Windsor, “Afy Will.” and Aliss Knight. “ Young Fellow My Lad.” GB. Bass Solo, one entry.—First, Tlios. Alooro, “ The Storm Fiend.” Juvenile Playettes, 3 entries. —First, “ A MicLsuminor Night’s Dream,” Act 2, Scene 1, 80; second, “1 ho Old Bull, 75; third, “The Alaker of Dreams,” 70. Senior Playettes, 4 entries. —First. “ Between the Soup and the Savoury.” St. Paul's Dramatic Club. 100 ; second. “The Amateur Palmist,” St. Paul’s Dramatic Club. 77.

THE JUDGE’S COMMENTS.

Air Aloss speaking of the girls’ song, said it was a very good section, all six performers doing creditably. On the recalls some change was made in the placings, the winner picking up points in the second effort and the third placed singer losing first position. The Action Chorus was another pleasing number, and regret was expressed that there was not more competition. The juvenile piano and violin numbers were remarked on as good attempts, the hoy in the latter number being specially encouraged. AH A Toss also praised the fine presentation in the pianoforte trio. As it would be the last night of the judging he took pleasure also, in thanking the Society for so enjoyable a Competition. Ho was very pleased to see tho audience so

large. It must be gratifying to the Committee. It was pleasing to him to see the advance in tho standard of the .music. Perhaps next time they would lie disposed to change the judges. It would probably prove an advantage In giving tho performers a more varied criticism of their qualifications. Mr Bush, speaking in the afternoon referred to the matter of accompanists

for monologues. He said of the pianists in New Zealand, one of the. most proficient was in Hokitika. He referred to Miss Daly and ventured to say there was not a better accompanist for monologues in the Dominion. Dealing with the dialogues, Mr Bush said tho competitors failed to realise the warmth of the parts they were filling. The character recital was very fine. The Hokitika standard had gone up 40 to GO per cent. The improvement’ was certainly remarkable. Nothing finer could have been hoard than in the ladies’ recitation. All six acquitted

themselves excellently. He was surprised at N. AVormington’s aptness for Shakespeare’s lines. The little lady had the metre naturally. He was disappointed again with the reading test, which was not hard if the competitors had boen practising reading.

Speaking at the night session, Mr Bush took the opportunity of expressing thanks to the Committee and spec-

ally the secretary, for all tho assist-

ance given during the sessions. Ho had also to thank Miss Daly for her accompanying work. He wished likewise to thunk the competitors for the spirit they werq showing. He counselled them to avoid a, pot hunting spirit, but to- go ahead with their studies for their personal pleasure and improvement. He wished also to thank the audience for their attention, and the consideration shown the performers, so that all had a good hearing. He agreed with Air Moss that it was not

judicious to have the same judges every year, and it was now time for a change. He certainly wished the Society every success. Referring to the night’s programme, Mr Bush thought the playettes a good innovation They were worth while, and in that respect they were ahead

of Greymouth. He praised the previous evening’s play “Between the Soup and the Savoury” which readied the highest professional standard, and he had done what he had never done before—given the production full marks. The juvenile work was praised, the winning presentation being very tasteful. They should have more competition for the oration, where there was scope for interesting work and instruction. Ho praised again the outstanding work in the ladies’ recitation and expressed gratification at so fine a section. TO-DAY. There was a forenoon and afternoon session to-da.v to complete the Competitions programme, and the sessions ended.

To-morrow night there will he the first Demonstration Concert, commencing at 7.45 o’clock. The doors will open downstairs at 7 o’clock. Next Tuesday night, the second Demonstration Concert will he held. The plan for the circle is now open for country patrons and from Saturday It will he open for the general public. Both concerts are sure to be crowded, so that heavy booking is expected.