CONVENT PUPILS ENTERTAIN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 71, 16 December 1937, Page 7

CONVENT PUPILS ENTERTAIN

Our Own Correspondent.)

Two Cleverly-Produced Plays at Waipukurau

(From

WAIPUKURAU, Last Night. Figures from childhood's nursery fales came to life in a realistic manner at a Christmas entertainment organised by the Sisters of St. Joseph's Convent, Waipukurau, and staged by the Convent pnpila to-night. Pretty effects and colourful costumes eombined with talented acting by very small children, made the play, "Mistress Mary's Garden," something which will not be soon forgotten. Butterflies in black bodices with red wings worked in gold, and silver antennae, tripped gaily across a prettily-decorated stage, beside flower fairies in pale green costumes. "Our wings are like the rainbow, of erimson and of gold," they sang, their sweet voices blending in perfect harmony. Amid this gay scene enters Mary Contrary, dressed prettily in mauve, to exhorfc flowers and butterflies to burst into a song of spring. Blowing his horn, Little Boy Blue comes to join the party, followed by Miss Muffett and her ^ spider, Jack Ilorner eating his Christmas pie, and Jack, with Jill tumbling after him. Next comes Willy Winkie, Little Bow Peep lanienting her lost sheep, and Tommy Tucker who leads them all in a chorus. The Pussy Cat arrives, too, after a trip to Loudon to visit the queen. And here the curtain falls. A Nativity Play by the seniors was equally well-done, and into this were introduced some charming effects. Colourful costumes were again in evidence, and the concluding scene, "in a stable cold and bafe, was a triumph of stagecraft. The programme was full of unoxpected effects, charming or whimsical. An lce-cream stall did brisk business durmg the evening. The hall was packed to overflowing and people were forced to stand throughout the evening. The Kigger Minstrels gave the most nilarious item on the programme, provoking considerable laughter until in the end their melody was almost drowued. The programme was as follows:— Pianoforte trio, "God Save the King " A. Howlett, II. Windle, P. Pedersen; pianoforte duet, "Yalse Brilliante " J. Eobertson, L.McS; chorus, "Christmas

Bells," school choirj verse speaking, "The Fairy Shoemaker" junior girls; folk dance, "Clap and Cobbler's Dance" infants; recitation, "The Plaint of a Camel" J. Bird; pianoforte duet, "The Pony Race" R. and A. Howlett; Gipsy chorus, senior girls; recitation, "The Sad Dog" infrant boys; vocal solo "The Lark's Awake" Miss P. Tucker; Indian song, M. Unka and K. Nana; folk dance, "Reap the Plax" junior boys; pianoforte duet, "A Signal from Mars" D. Rush and D. Boyle; verse speaking, "Ghristmas Bells" senior girls. Nigger Minstrels, "Swanee River" boys; playlet, "Mistress Mary's Garden," infants; verse speaking, "Tarantella" senior boys; folk d&nce, "Norwegin Mt. Marth" senior girls; pianoforte solo, Miss J. Robertson; chorus, "Shepherd's Song" boys; recitation, "An Eastern Legend" J. Gallagher; "vocal solo, "By the Waters of Minnetonka" Miss P. Tucker; verse speaking, "Th© Toy Band" junior boys; pianoforte quartet, "The Jolly Sailormen" V. Witton, N. Norris, K. Atkins, I. Yella; "chorus, "Happy Song" girls; elocution, Kipling's "Recessional" Miss T. Bird; pianoforte solo, "Moonlight Sonata," Miss M. Atkins; Nativity Play, seniors. Prizes and certificates won during the year were presented at the conclusion of the entertainment. Joan McInnes was awarded the gold medal for Ohristian Boctrine. A doll competition during the evening was won by Miss Grace RocJ.