"Red Riding Hood"

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 79, 20 December 1890, Page 2

"Red Riding Hood"

o There can be only one opinion on the performances given last night in the Assembly Rooms, by the children of the Feilding State School. Everything was remarkably well done, and Mrs Duncan deserves the very highest praise for the manner in which she had instructed the juvenile performers. From the beginning to the end everything went smoothly without the slighest contretemps. The only drawback was that sometimes the stage was cumbered too much by the masses of flowers thrown to the performers by admiring friends and patrons. The overture " Orberon " was well played by Miss Hastie, and this young lady made her debut by singing " I cannot sing the old Songs " with taste and feeling for which she received a well deserved encore. Miss Hastie has a good voice and will prove an acquisition to our local musical circles. We may here state that Miss Hastie was one of the most energetic workers in getting up the performance and the success which was scored last night' was in a great measure owing to her exertions. Miss Parr sang " Caller Herrin " but this song was hardly suited for her voice, however, she gained an encore. The song " Daddy " by Miss Oliver, was really a gem and was fully appreciated by the au lience who imperatively demanded an encore to which she responded. It was worth all the money to see Mr Ben Gosling, Junr., who officiated as " Daldy." The sailor's hornpipe was well danced by Master Drake whose brother supplied the music on the fiddle. Miss Gould followed with " The Flower Girl." This little lady was without question the prima donna. Miss Richards sang " Eva " very prettily although she was evidently a little nervous which was quite excusable under the circumstances. The duett " The Flower Gatherers," sang by Mrs Prior and Miss Hastie, was an excellent peace of vocalisation. Master Oliver brought the first part to a conclusion by playing ''The Sailor's Dream " on the piano, with such taste and skill as were surprising in a lad so young. The second part entitled the Cantata ''Red Riding Hood" was really excellent. All the performers were thoroughly well drilled, and appeared to be letter perfect in their several parts. Miss Gould, as Red Riding Hood, sang and acted in a manner that was surprising, and her sweet voice could be heard in every part of the Hall clear and destmct, every word being properly enunciated. Miss Hastie, as th* Houeewife, sang and acted really well. Miss A. Parr, as Rose, played to great advantage. Miss Oliver, as Buttercup, acted the fairy to the life and sang very nicely. Master Gosling made a very creditable wolf, his get up being truly terrifying. Master Bellve, as the Woodman, came out strong, aud rendered his songs fairly well. His slaughter of the wolf in the finale was realistic and conclusive. The choruses of the Village children, Blunbells, nnd Fairies were very well sun?, and when the curtain fell there was not a person in the Hall who was not really delighted with the wholo perforin. inca. Before the audience dispersed Mr Lethbridge returned thanks on behalf of the Suhool Committee for the splendid attendance. In conclusion we must not omit to place on record the fact that the usual and inevitable bunch of hoodlums were gathered together at the rear of the Hall and made themselyes objectionable by their talking and idiotic interjections.