PRINCESS THEATRE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1930, Page 3

PRINCESS THEATRE

• ' SCHOOL CONCERT. The annual school concert held at the Princess Theatre last night attracted a crowded house, the fame and the reputation of last year’s success still lingering in the public mind. Miss Anne P. Duff was again •he producer, and every credit is due to the capabilities of the lady for the full measure and overflowing of gooc. things, provided for the enjoyment oi patrons./ The show was again a great success/ and every item thoroughly enjoyed. Miss Duff and those associated with her, worked * wonderfully well to stage so well organised, disciplined, and punctual an entertainment with such hosts of performers. The School orchestra enlivened the proceedings, as of yore, hut it was a more ambitious orchestra, and if. coming- on well. “Toyland” was the first feature of the entertainment, and' this was quite a delight the tiny tots displaying great aptitude ant. Upeaking their parts clearly. The Three Crows was a humorous interlude, to prepare the way lor the Minstrel Melodies. The scene was set in a plantation, and there the Kiddies sang old familiar Negro melodies to their hearts’ content. Connie Staines’ solo was, very pleasing, and die Ten Little Niggers a very merry party, while- the Jazz Band ably conducted by Master JTnghie Allen, brought down the house. The scene vaS ’changed to a serious excerpt from Shakespeare, in which- Yiolet Ross and Sydney Blank depicted a passage from “The Tempe.Y.” It was a capital effort in the superior dictum ol the .'great master. The- first part ol the. programme concluded with a National Song Scene, introducing English, Scots, Irish and Welsh airs, there was quite an army of performers, who- sang and danced and pleased iiiliiienseiy. :. There were several soloistsj and all acquitted themselves vvC'lii'. Avhile a recital by Joan Baker gave.;special point; to. the English' scerife. The- Florid Dance was a captivating item also. In the Bonnie Scotland, scene, the chorus did splendidly and’ the reel was very pleasurable. The Irish-scene was merry and bright, the dancing being good, ant, the singing very acceptable. Familial Ibiklri afirs were rendered, and tin dartce by Nan Darby to the air of “Irish Eyes” took the house by storm. The .Welsh party sang typical na*4 on alt airs, and the whole scene eonluded with “The Island,” an effect-ive-finale.

The Second half opened with the “Musical Menu,” and the scholar? made it a pleasing delight. Joy Ward followed with a sketch ' “My Wedding Morn.” The Carnival Chorus was a spectacular scene with a ■ •horns -df many voices. They sang •tnd danced to their own as well as the pleasure of th© audience, all being heartly applauded. The toe duo by* Nan and Violet Darby was one of the special features of the evening. Little Cora Lynn and Duncan Heinz sang the “Bacarolle” very pleasingly, and with the ballet and the carnival cihofus made a very entertaining item. “The Singaiphone’’ proved to be one of the latest musical invention,s; and was a humorous feature of the various programme. The Gold Diggers held the stage for a while with quips and cranks, and before the grand finale, Masters Coles and McDoiigjall (2) supplied a very amusing scene on verse composition. There was. a brilliant scene for the closing item, when Nancy Wright and Duncan Heinz sang the .School Song comnsed by Miss Duff. Over one hundred children must have been grouped oil the stage. The display was most effective, and the wealth of colouring gave the final scene quite a cordial send, off, the curtain being rung clown to the plaudits of the delighted audience; who had enjoyed three hours of verv hearty entertainment.

Just 'before the final number Mr A. 0. Armstrong, Chairman of the School Committee, returned thanks to Miss Duff for her splendid entertainment, and congratulated the performers on the support given. Thanks were also extended to Mr Menzies (Rector), who had supervised the presentation. Miss Reid, assisting Miss Duff, Mr C, Gr. Warren, business manager, and Mr Ri -Lvnn, stage manager. The orchestra was congratulated also, in that connection, Miss E. Robinson, who was pianiste, deserves special mention for providing, so many accompaniments. Miss Duff and Mrs Darby also ' assisted with the accompaniments. Little Alice Wieblitz presented'‘Miss Duff with a handsome bouquet. The wliol© production passed off most successfully, both in the afternoon (when there was a good attendance) and in the evening. The staging and dressing left little to be desired, and altogether the 1930 concert will go down into- history as one of the most memorable functions in the life and history of the School.