HAWAIIAN TROUBADOURS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5224, 9 January 1928, Page 2

HAWAIIAN TROUBADOURS

CROWDED HOUSE AT PAEROA.

AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME.

The Aurora Theatre, Paeroa, was packed from the entrance to the orchestral well on Saturday night, when Ernest Kaai’s Hawaiian Troubadours made- their first appearance in this district. The performance did not commence until after 8.30 o’clock, but from the rise of the curtain to the final ensemble the items were enjoyable and, proved an unusual class of eaitertainment. The versatile company demonstrated its ability to- entertain with American ragtime. English folk songs, ss well as the languorous Hawaiian music.

The opening numbe,r, “Dawn ” in which many plaintive Hawaiian melodies were played, was of peculiar beauty, the voices being introduced with pleasing effect. Mr Ernest Kaai was heard in several solos, h is rendering of an old darkey melody being parti ularly good. In addition .to being a clever musician, Mr Kaai is also a composer of Hawaiian music, and the orchestra’s opening number, entitled “Greetings,” in the second half of- the programme was very pretty. The Moan a Jazz Four played many of tlie latest selections with infectious gaiety. Mr George Greig provided much humour at the piano, while Mr Edward Kinley, the manipulator of the, drums and extras, proved h'msolf an artist of no mean ability. Tlie selected numbers from Hawaiian reveries, introducing the Wikiwiiu Hula dance .by Frances and Frank Luiz, was a great success, as also was tlie imitat’on of human voices on a steel guitar, and the.novelty items by Lucy and Palmer Parker. Miss AVehi and Keoki Greig’s presentation of a popular hilo duo, introducing “Past and Present Favourites,” was well received. A novel number entitled “Jockeying” was danced by Miss Frances Luiz and was deservedly encored, and she was equally clever in “Tickle-toes” and an exhibition of Hawaiian patter steps. Various ensembles and concerted singing completed a very attractive.’ programme.