SOMETHING NEW FOR WELLINGTON

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 22, 7 December 1934, Page 46

SOMETHING NEW FOR WELLINGTON

Verse-Speaking Choir Makes Its Debut BARING gowns designed on Greek lines, the Wellington Verse Speaking Choir gave two recitals in the Blue Triangle Hall, Wellington, last sweek. This choir, which is conducted by W. J. Mountjoy, junior, LTCL.,, is doing something which is comparatively new to New Zealand audiences. Some 50 persons, ranging from small schoolboys to middle-aged men and women, with matching voices, repeat generally in unison,: the writings of classic and modern poets. By standing quite still and not acting, they let the poet’s words alone convey jtheir meaning. In some pieces they are assisted by Miss Barbara Bannister, L.A.B., who plays in theahythm of the poetry. This verse-speaking idea was recently introduced to the Lyall Bay School when Mr. Mountjoy, now on :the school staff, returned from a _ trip abroad where he studied the activities of ithis art which illustrates to a marked degree how beautiful speech can be when cultivated simply and naturally. This verse speaking has been developed to{a very high standard overseas, especially on the Continent. Poems included in the two entertainments last week were by John Masefield, Walter ‘de la Mare, Newbolt and other well-known ‘poets. Some of the best items were a chorus from "Medea" with Greek movement by three :dancers, "Trees," with pupils of Miss Kathleen O’Brien, giving an impressionistic dance, and "Gavotte" which had effective lighting to make the dancers appear to awaken jas ghosts, live and then fade away while the choir spoke from "beneath the stage. The items by the Lyall Bay School pupils were tremendously popular and received such hearty applause that encores were? given. Children are always appealing and their interpretation of the poems was very creditable. Mr. O. A. Banner, headmaster of the Lyall ‘Bay School, conducted them, and he is to be congratulated on their fine performances. ‘During the entertainment, the songs by Miss Molly Atkinson ..and Mr.’ T. Hislop, were

greatly appreciated. This Verse Speakjing Choir, which was. originally tintended for juveniles alone, but proved so popular that adults! asked to join, is hoping to give two recitals