CULFORD BELL RECITALS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 308, 24 September 1919, Page 10

CULFORD BELL RECITALS

The annual dramatic recitals by the pupils of Mr. and .Mrs. Culford Bell have achieved eoncdeiable -popularity, and usually attract large and appreciative audiences. This year's recitals, in the Concert Chamber, were no exception in the latter rule. :. The Monday evening recital programme included a charming little Japanese play, "Nono San," attractively costumed and cleverly acted. The principal characters were Miss Leah' Uyman, Miss Annie Finn, and Jliss Lottie Harris. Another bright little sketch was "Robbing the Pantiy," while the. other items comprised dramatic recitations and monologues, A second recital'was given last evening iu the of Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool,' who was attended by Captain Garland, A.D-C. The performance opened.' -with a. festive-time study,'entitled "The Old-Toys," in which all''concerned played their parts admirably. Fay Smyth, as Sylvia, tho little girl who is depicted bidding good night to her cold toys on Christmas Eve, was excellent/ As she sleeps,. Father Christmas (Joyce Martin) plaees the new Columbino (Joyce Whitehead), Pierrot (Marie Davidson), . and Thomas Atkins (Koy Wale) near, her bed, where they are discovered by the old toys—Arabella (Bessie Hunter), Bunny Rabbit (Harry Murrav), and Yum-Yum (Gladys Meier). The old and-new toys commence to;squabble, and while Sylvia endeavours to make all happy, a Christm-is Angel 'Eva Clay), re- ' presenting Peace, enters. • All become good friends, and Thomas Atkins, a khaki-clad youngster, is the hero of the hour. Preceded by Britannia (Eileen Sadd) the suirits of the. Allied nations enter to payhomage to Peace. The whole study was cleverly acted throughout, but little Fay Kinvth was by far the most brilliant. .4 fairy play, entitled "The Rose and tho Ring," gave the pupils great 6cope for a full display of their talent, and every one deserved the unstinted applause given. Two clfs (Harold Mouat and Gladys l White) decide the fates of Princess Angelica (Heithcr Wylie), Betsinda (Doris iNeale), .Prinze Bulbul (Eileen Buckley), and Prince 'Jliglio (Nancy Casliman), ami their innocent conspiracy results.in an amusing dialogue. The King (Larma Bovan) and Queen. (Evelyn Newstead) were u.uito good. • "By Proxy" proved a' most entertaining comedysketch, performed by two accomplished pupil* in tho persons of Miss Leah Hy< man (Lady Eva) and JIi6S Pearl Jacobs (Tommy). Among the solo, items, tho recitation, "Boys' Rights," by Master John Neale, was excellent,'and ho re. coived well-merited' applause:' The'char«utcr skotch, "Prince Arthur," by Aileen. Brooker, was' capably rendered, and the, 6tudy from "David Copperlield," "Squeer's Opens School," by Willio Knox, capti' vnted the' audience. Other items were:—Duologue, "A Pair nf Schemers" (Misses L. Harris and G. Maiidcrson); . recitatious, Kathleen O'Brien, Russell Fabian, Jack Darroch,i Alan M'Dougall, Horace Warring, Miss Frcothy, Miss Clark, Miss Ward, and Miss M'lCay'; musical monologues, Miss Tresedor, Aliss Copeland, and Miss Beckley; and Dickens sketch, Miss M. Burt. The accompaniments were rendered by Miss Doris Stevens and Mr. W. A. H. bpenoer supervised tho stage effects.