State School Concert.

Hastings Standard, Issue 194, 11 December 1896, Page 2

State School Concert.

THE ANNUAL EVENT. Although the night- was swelteringly close, the Princess Theatre was packed with an enthusiastic audience to see and hear the youngsters perform. The amount of Labor (with a capital L) that the ladies and gentlemen in charge of the children went through can only bo lenown by those behind the scenes, but the children gallantly responded to their efforts, with the result that last night's show was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old, and reflected highly both upon the children themselves and upon those responsible for the management It was Sir Henry Irving who said " A great deal may be learnt on the stage, but nothing can be taught," and he (spoke truly, for actors, like poets, are born, not made, and tuition can only have the effect of cultivating the natural talent. Last night, in the infants drili and action songs it was easy to perceive from the graceful curving gestures and the easy swinging movements that more than one little lady and gentleman amongst the infants possessed a natural grace of motion which might be envied by anyon. To say the auidence were enthusiastic would be but an insipid manner of describing the fact, as from almost the commencement a perfect deluge of flowers rained upon the stage almost smothering the children, who with their pretty dresses and hearty wholesome laughing faces gladdened many an old dreary heart last night. Mr Beecroft kindly lent some tiered seats for the use of the children on the stage, and this certainly added considerably to the effect. The Misses Percy, lioaeli, Caulton, and George played the accompaniments faultlessly on a rather discordant piano. The management was in the hands of Mr J. A. Smith, and the headmistress Miss l'ercy, ably assisted by Mr Martin and the Misses George and G. Poach, who worked like slaves and deserve unstinted praise for the perfect organisation and discipline which prevailed. The first choruses, " Ping out Wild Bells" and " Ladybird" were rendered by the fall strength of the school, and the effect of about 200 clear young voices upon the audience was magical, and put them in good humor for the rest of the night. Mr A. L. Ityan next appeared in Moore's beautiful song, " Oft in the Stilly Night," for which, although he scarcely did it justice, he received an encore, ancl, in response, lie sang the last verse. He was followed by a recitation entitled " Three Kittens," given by four of the school children—Misses Smith, ITavman, McAneny, and liivers—which was rendered with a- verve und vim which would do credit to older pooj le, and they were redemanded. " Espanita," a Spanish love song, by Miss Newton was a delicate interpretation of a difficult song, and Miss Newton's success was placed beyond the pale of doubt by the imperative encore, which she acknowledged by bowing, and the shower of bouquets which littered the stage. A duet, " I don't want to play in your yard," was s.mg by two baby girls named M. Taylor and L. Brown, and the manner in which they threw themselves into their paifcs was a credit both to themselves and their teachers. Mr Ilenouf, a young gentleman from Napier, well-known throughout the district as an entertainer, followed in the recitation '•Hooligan's Mare," which fairly convulsed the house, and being recalled gave "After the Smoke Concert." A plantation song, " Dinah," from " In Town," by Mr Sam liidgway, with a chorus by the children, was well sung, but he would have done infinitely better if he dispensed with the music, as, above all things, the success of this song depends on its spontaniety. Miss Caulton, an old favorite, sang" The Carnival," which wasalongway above her average effort. She received floral tributes, and bowed in acknowledgment of an encore, 'j he musical calisthenics by about 85 boys and girls, under the baton of Miss Percy, was very creditably performed, and showed that the physical training of the children receives due attention at the schools. This feature in our State school system calls for special mention, as the gentle yet comprehensive exercises entailed in the elementary gymnastics performed last night brings into play the muscles of the chest and arms, besides educating the children in the art of easy and graceful movement, and as a good physique in infants must facilitate their intellectual receptive powers, Misses Percy and George (who presided at the organ) may be congratulated on doing yeoman's service in the cause of the rising generation. Under the charge of these two ladies the children rendered the action songs, "The Fiddle," " Blacksmith Tom," and '• Snowflakes," going through the movements descriptive of each song splendidly. In another item of the same class entitled "The Musicians," Miss Mary Grant (fiddler), and Masters Bertie Kessell (fife), Sydney Hunt (drummer), Fred Stonestreet (piper), and Douglas McCorkindale (trumpeter) acquitted themselves exceedingly well. Both the drill and action songs were fully appreciated by the audience, who applauded frequently throughout. During the interval which followed Captain Russell, M.H.8., spoke before the curtain, congratulating the teachers and pupils on the success of the entertainment, and thanking the public for their attendance. The second part of the programme commenced with two choruses by the children, entitled " Pleasures of the Woods " and " The Sneezing Song," both of which were well received by the audience, especially the latter, the children entering fully into the spirit of fun suggested in the chorus. A duet, " List to the Convent- Bells," by Miss B. •Joll and Master Alfred Spencer was a nicely-blended effort. Young Spencer possesses a fine, clear, treble voice, which, if he is taken in hand and properly treated in the transitory stage, should develop into a really good tenor. Miss Joll sang her part well, and both children did excellently, although they had to contend against an instrument which might have made the acquaintance of a piano-tuner without doing it any harm. Mr Ilenouf followed in his best effort of the evening —a recitation in which he described the idiosyncrasies of a masher, a heavy tragedian, and a mincing young lady in reciting the well-known piece called '■ The Little Vulgar Boy," and his impersonations brought the house down. For an encore he gave "The Yarn of the Nancy Bell," in which his powers had not the same scope. It is not too much to say that the most popular item of the entertainment was the trio, " The Three Old Maids of Lea," in character, by the Misses Robeitson. Poach, and Newton. The young ladies appeared in ordinary house dress, but when they reached the portion of the song descriptive of the miseries of the snappish old maids they turned their backs on the audience, and, with the aid of caps, frills, and masks, "presented to the amazed and delighted audience the appearance of three of the most abominable old women that one could well conceive. This item had to be repeated. and the singers were the recipients of several bouquets. Mrs M. •Johnson sang " By the Fountain " iti her uaued style, and bowed her acknowledge-

ments to the encore and for the flowers flung at her feet. A self possessed little young lady Miss I. Gallien, gave a character recitation " Babv Marion in Church," which was quaintly performed and loudly applauded. " Hope's Fairy Bell " was well sung by Miss B. Joll, who was followed by Eva Charlton, Mabel Land, Edith Harman, Eva Burton, Frank Knight, and Vernon Yenablcs, microscopic specimens of mortality, who sang " We are so very small" and " Peaceful Star," and one could not help admiring the absence of self-consciousness in the infants. A song "A Jolly Good Laugh" nicely sung by Masters Stevens, Wall (2). McCorkindale, Shatkey, Smit-V., Mactdison, James, Caulton, Wyatt, andT"Spencer, was followed by a chorus of all the children, and the programme concluded by the audience and performers joining in the National Anthem.