MISS BETTY PURDOM'S RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2646, 17 December 1915, Page 4

MISS BETTY PURDOM'S RECITAL

GOOD WORK BY JUVENILES. All of Miss Betty Purdom's quaint I little elocutionary pupils were given'an airing at the Concert Chamber last evening, and an exceedingly interesting entertainment they provided. Tho little tots 'were all glad at the chanco of showing their faces behind that "funny little row of lights." The Herald blew a blast of welcome to all present, with particular to the vice-regal party, which included the Countess of Liverpool, Sir Robert and Lady Walker, Mrs. J. P. Luke,' and Mr. Hamilton (His Excellency's secretary). A little tot, Reina Lemmon (who.was also the Herald) shuffled in and recited "Off to. Town in Daddy!s.'Boots" with infah-; tile intelligence. ... Mavis:-Parker, who. recited ''A Christmas Camp," was tetter perfect, but was'devoid of tone colour—which is tho beginning and end of most things in reciting or singing or playing. A hit, a palpable hit, was made by Babies Una Edilson and Raymond Whitehead, in the tragi-comedy "Where are you Going To?" prettily expressed in costmiie. Ngaore Lemmon and Master Keith Thomson wero precociously charming in the costume sketch "Dainty Little Lady - ' (with dance). Miss Rita Fox was obsessed by the adjective iu her recitation "Wooden Legs," and.-trim little Hazel Hardwick walked round cleverly on her tip-toes. Miss Yvonne Gibson recited "The Girls of the Wool Brigade," and Millie Knight was well made up in the character recital "Patchwork Philosophy." Olive Smith, an intelligent reciter, with excellent style and presence', scored in "Little Bell and the Captain," and Jessie Lees • found the Scotch in "Cuddle D 0011" rather much for her Maorilaud tongue/ In the second half Hazel JElardwick and Rita Howe wero sweet in the old-time duet "No, Sir," wliich lias the perfume of lavender and old lace. Marea Milesi showed' fine potential "dramatic ability in "A Gipsy Bride," a recital that suited her temperament. Doris and Josie Bailey got through, tlie depressing "Hubert and Arthur" sceno well, Walter Tonks, in character, recited "The Navy," and Mare Chalmers spoke out boldly and clearly in "Pro Patria," and Moyra Casey recited Barry Marscholl's racy bit of jingle "Kidd .of Timaru" with plenty of confidence. "Mrs. Milligan's Girls" was cleverly acted by a cluster of little ones, who also appeared to • distinct advantage in dear old "Cinderella:" Josie," Bailey was rather sharp and intense as Cinderella, yet acted witli plenty of confidence, and never missed a ' word. Pattie Shannon and Kathleen Brailsford wero' both very comical in their antics, "and Irene Dearo made a benign.'Fairy Godmother, and the Prince's lines were clearly spoken by Mavis Halliday. Miss Myrtle Bouttell and Mrs. Lemmon were at the piano and Mr. Culford Hell was the. stage director. The piano was .lent by the Bristol Piano Company, and tho curtains by the Shakespeare Club. During the evening the Countess of Liverpopl was presented with a bouquet by Miss Hazel Hardwick.