Page 2 - 1978 News Clippings

Maori rhythm and fun

Western Evening Herald - Plymouth, August 5th, 1978

A Maori Marae at the College of chant and the revivalists. It is at times
Further Education, Devonport (England). extremely tuneful and even very funny when
interspersed with threatening grunts and
` Last night Plymouth was treated to a grimaces.
highly unusual entertainment from the other Their dancing consists mainly of
side of the world when 32 Maori singers and sideways movement, heavy stamping and
dancers, students from the Ngaruawahia challenging postures which created a
High School, in Hamilton, New Zealand, fascinating and amusing rhythm.
gave the first of two performances in the In the second part of the programme the
city. company gave a selection of
The Marae is a THEATRE popular items of both Maori
communal assembly which and European origin which
would normally take place in included the well-known
front of the Meeting House. The stage at string ball actions, demonstrations with club
Devonport was set with a vivid replica of the and sticks and songs and dances by separate
house, adorned with grotesque figures and groups of the boys and girls.
patterns and bright colours which served as A further performance is being given
a background for this bizarre and exciting this evening. Tomorrow night they move on
performance. to Camborne. If you are looking for
The Maori musical traditions are quite something completely different then this is
different from those of the natives of Africa certainly it.
and the Far East, containing certain HARVEY CRANE
harmonies that are reminiscent of plain

Park is ‘stage’ for Maori’s impromptu concert

THE PRESS AND JOURNAL, AUGUST 16 The group, who have been so popular
at all their performances throughout the
THIS group of young Maori dancers gave an festival, are the Ngaruawahia High School
impromptu concert in Aberdeen’s Seaton Maori Cultural Group.

Park yesterday before their match in the The Maoris have played to packed
International Festival of Youth Orchestras’ audiences in and around Aberdeen,
“Mini World Cup” . entertaining with their traditional song and

dance routines.