PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 20 July 1916, Page 3

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

ON Thursday evening last, in the Star Theatre, Helensville, the children gave a most successful concert, in aid of the Women's Patriotic League. Miss Ganley and Mrs McGarvey deserve a great deal of credit for their untiring efforts in working the children up to such a state of perfection, as all the items were performed in a very creditable manner, and we think the programme fully deserves a repetition on some future occasion.

The Town Band kindly contributed a couple of items outside the Theatre, and also performed inside the Hall during the evening. Mr J. Carter acted as conductor, and pleasure was expressed at the high state of proficiency of the members. Long before 8 o'clock, both up-stairs and the body of the Hall were packed to the doors, and a number could not gain admission at all, but patiently listened with patriotic enthusiasm outside. The stage was prettily decorated with flags and evergreens, and lilliee tastefully displayed.

The dancing in the Sailors' Hornpipe and the Highland Fling was especially good, every step being .done with precision and neatness. Miss Flannagan, in her ballet dancing and the Irish Gig, astonished the audience at the proficient way in which she performed. Needless to say, all the dancers had \to respond to an encore. Miss Flanagan's elder sister proved by her recitations that she is an artist of high quality, her elocution and delivery being strong and vivid. The " Colleens of Killarney," " Grotesque Mandarins," and "I'm a Little Jap, Jap," deserve special mention, the performers having great confidence in themselves and taking their parts accurately and well. " The Keys of Heaven." " Motherland," " The Puzzled Dutchman," and '* Nose and Eyes," delighted the audience, and showed that the young artists had received a large amount of rehearsing.

In addition to those mentioned in the programme were Mrs Sweetapple, of Napier, who sang '• Sympathy," and Miss Neighbour, ot Devonport, who sang "Life hath sent me many Roses," The.se two ladies also sang most charmingly the duet, "Rose of my Heart." A pianoforte item was contributed by Master Ivan Lambert. Following was the programme:— Pianoforte Duet—" Fue de Flamme " L. Carleton and L. Field. Song—" Colleens of Killarney " Pupils of Helensville School. Recitation—" Nose and Eyes " Erena Bishop. Dance—" Sailors' Hornpipe " L. Carleton, M. Hill, M. Simcock, P. Hill, L. Field, M. Bishop. Song—" The Grotesque Mandarins " Pupils of Helensville School. Recitation—" The Puzzled Dutchman " Thelma Murphy. Danee — Miss Flannagan. Trio—Soldier, Sailor and Tradesman T. Geldard, B. Short, .and T. Hughes. , Song—" I'm a Little Jap, Jap " Gladys Osman and Chorus. Danee — Miss Flannagan, Duet—" Keys of Heaven" Gladys Osman and Boy Hand Recitation— 'Miss Flannagan. Danee —" Highland Fling " Edna Donovan and Ethel Sim. Patriotic Song—" Motherland " T. Hughes and Chorus. After the interval a pretty little play, entitled " Babes in the Wood," was staged. A great amount of time and expense were expended on this production, and the little children went through their several parts most creditably and without delay of any kind, while the dresses were elaborate and pleasing to a degree. The cast was as follows:— The Uncle— Victor Aitkenhead Sykes— Arthur Turley Ruth— Ella Eddleston Philp— Kath McGarvey Robin Red Breast— Amo Jowett Jenny Wren— Roie Parkes The Sparrow a.nd Rook-* Lola Menzies The Qwl-= Trevor McGarvey Two Canaries— E, and M. Ellett The Yellow Hammer— Molly Meinhold Th<?.Fari*ci— Si. Turley, J. Bradly, and The Three Dolls— Rosie Allan, Mary Field and Nellie Sellers The Angel— ' Eva. E.Uett The takings amounted to about; J63Q, the details of which will be published in a, future issue, During the evening the children going round with the flag, collected about £2 in pennies.