"HAWAII SINGS"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1940, Page 9

"HAWAII SINGS"

PERFORMANCE IN MASTERTON BRIGHT .ENTERTAINMENT. PROGRAMME TO BE REPEATED TONIGHT. The Opera House, Masterton, was well filled last night for the opening performance of “Hawaii Sings,” an entertainment of a high order presented by Aliiloa Lincoln and his Alohalani Hawaiians. The colourful presentation of lilting Hawaiian music. graceful dancing and spontaneous humour made a striking appeal to an appreciative audience and all items were received with generous applause. The stage and general lighting effets were particularly good . and most pleasing to the eye. ■ The captivating Hawaiian hula, a vividly symbolic dance illustrating the picking of flowers, rain falling through trees, the flight of birds and similar aspects of nature was performed with brilliant artistry by Miss Morni Kaaimoku, the leading dancer of the company. Miss Kaaimoku, who proved a popular dancer in her recent tour of the United States and has made a popular appeal to New Zealand audiences, is considered one of the most accomplished exponents of the hula; In addition she also has a splendid soprano voice. Aliiloa Lincoln also has a voice of great range and he was heard to good effect in songs in which the, bass part was taken by Dan Kaeka.

Classical as well as popular Hawaiian dances were popular items on the programme. Chants from Hawaiian mythology were presented by Johnson Alla. Throughout the programme explanatory comments prior to the presentation of items were given by Kamauna Hao and enabled the audience to appreciate more fully the quality of the entertainment. A pleasing selection of native melodies and well-known modern dance tunes is sung by Aliiloa Lincoln, accompanied by the other members of the company on their guitars. The programme also included several excellent burlesque::. The programme will be repeated tonight when it I;: anticipated that there wj 11 be another large audience to witness an entertainment which pleases all tastes.