School Entertainment.

Manawatu Herald, 1 October 1892, Page 2

School Entertainment.

Last night the school concert and entertainment, long looked for, took place at the Public Hall, before one of the largest and most orderly audiences the hall has ever held. Punctually at eight o'clock the curtain rose and displayed, seated, tier, above tier, on the stage some seventy two children , mostly the pupils in the very junior standards. The scene was very pretty, the bright, happy little faces beaming upon the audience, their faith in their leaders and instructresses Mrs Hellish, and Hiss Ballantino being so unbounded that no hesitation or nervousness was exhibited. The names of the children composing this large chorus are girls. Julia Ahem, Louisa Anderson, Annie Ball, Florence Bal\ Ada Brad cock, Violet Brown, Mary Cawston, Edith Collins, May Dunckley, Charlotte Easton, Clara Liddell, Annie Band, Ethel de Bidder, Amy do Bidder, May Stansell, Mary Small. Martha Small, Clyde Sawyers, Gertrude Trask, Ada Withers, Elma Guerin, May Gillespie. Gertrude Hamer, Nellie Hawkins, Ada Murray, Edith Perrean, Emily Webb, L°titia Williams, Alice Moss, Mary Shenock. Kate Anderson, Nellie Ba 1, Annie Collins, Adeline Collins, Mary Cook, Sarah Cook, Ethel Dean, Pearl Fraser, Ethel Howan. Etho Ijidilell, Maude SiiTijisorii Minnie Thompson, Lydia Dewar, hoys, James Dunn, Alfred Jenks, Albert Stansell, Patrick MoGil', Henry Walker, Walter Edwards. James Fume, Leslie Newth, Mavlc Perveau, WiHie Sawyers, Charles Smal 1 , Olifton Trask, Fred Walls, A (red Webb, "oland Sillespie, Alexander sherrook, William de Bidder, John Harris, Leonard Ingram, Percy Jenks, Alfred Musgrove, Kenneth Bay, Percy Stansell, Alexander Spiers, Robert .Spiers, James Walker, Henry Dewar, George Dunn. The girls were all dressed in white muslin with broad sashes of blue and red, seated alternately, and each had a bouquet. The boys were all neatly attired in dark blue navy suits. The first item given was what is termed in school an " Intermission," song, then " Row Row," an action song followed. In this, on the words row, row, being sung, the whole of the little ones imitated the action of pulling an oar, in perfect time and swing. '• Mrs Bond " a character song was sung with Miss Gertrude Hamer and Master Fred Wail as the two soloists, the choruses being taken up by the band. The girls then had a recitation and a song to themselves about dolls, the little ladies most carefully attending to the imitation babies in their arms. The words and actions were both pretty and appropriate. " The Drummer Boy " followed in which Masters W. Sawyers, Alf Jenks and Fred Walls were the soloists and vary creditably performed their parts. The recitation of " Boys' Rights " was particularly good and was the piece of the first part, not only from the words but from the emphasis given to the points. " Pickles," little pickles truly were the Misses Emily Webb. Violet Brown, Clara Liddle. Julia A hern, Ethel Liddell, May Stansell, Clyde Sawyers, Amy de Ridder, May Gillespie and Maud Simpson ; and the masters Jas. Furrie, Alf. Jenks, Alf. Webb, P. Stansell, L. Newth, R. Gillespie, Jas. Dunn, H Walker, Win. Sawyers and Fred Walls, who appeared as though they had just come in from some real good fun and had forgotten the expenses their parents are put to to supply them with decent raiment. The three songs, English, Scotch and Irish followed and were given with strong '

force and character. Then a •' Medley " action song was given in which a lot of nursery rhymes were sung. At this point the Chairman cf the Committee asked to be allowed to tender- the Committee's and the audiences thanks to those who had, and to those who were about to perform, and to Mrs Stewart for originating the entertainment, to Mrs Mellish for her care and trouble in preparing the first part, and to Miss Ballantine for supplying the music and leading the children. It was evident that the most excellent terms existed between Mr Stewart, the head master, and his able assistants and the scholars, otherwise such a successful performance of so many children could not have been seen and heard. If anything could make the success greater it was the evident interest taken in the school by the parents of the scholars who had attended in such large numbers that night. He thought it boded well for the future success of the school when so much interest had been taken by all concerned. He proposed a most hearty vote of thanks to those he had namfed which he trusted would be shown by the way they received the proposal, A very vehement clapping of hands followed. The children then sang '* Goodbye Brothers " and a marching song during which they descended from the stage and took up their places on forms reserved for them in the body of the Hall. At the commencement of the entertainment Mr Stewart explained that though the little ones would appreciate the recognition ol their effo-ts by applause, yet he trusted no attempt would be made to obtain an encore, as it would be cruelty to th.3 children. Under these circumstances, though one or two items would have been re-demanded, they were not, such as the Doll's Recita* tion, Boy's Rights, Pickles, and the song of the Red, White and Blue, during the chorus of which every child waved a small flag over its head, making a very pretty effect. Every item was enthusiastically applauded. Mrs Mellish is undoubtedly to be congratulated ojrrthe splendid command she has obtained over her little charges and the cpnfi~ dence she has instilled them with, the time, the action of this large number went like the swing of a pendulum. An interval of fifteen minutes intervened to allow of the stage being prepared for the important piece of " The Beauty and the Beast," the* portion most particularly under Mrs Stewart's charge and drilling, and the result gave evidence of the vast amount of time, labour and patience she had devoted to it. During an interval, in which Mr Stewart thanked the audience for the way in which the vote of thanks had been carried, he mentioned that though he claimed no credit for the evening's amusenlent he had had some labour in connec* tion with it, tut the thanks were due to Mrs Mellish, Mrs Stewart and Miss liallantiue. He, howtver, had been desired by Mrs Steward to publicly thank some of the elder girls who had very materially assisted Her, mentioning the Misses Whyfce, Furrie, Stansell, and Gibson, and also Miss Lettie Williams for her singing, which he felt sure the : audi* ence would agree with him gave promise of a great future. ' The old story of the " Beauty and the Beast " is known to all. The character of the merchant was taken by Master Lionel Stansell, whose '• make up " was excellent, havinfc a splendid head of gray hair with a long beard and moustache as wtiite as his advanced age justified. "This young man was not in ! 'the least afflicted with shyness and spoke aW . acted his part with much credit. The two proud sisters were the Misses Gertrude Gibson and Ada Stansell, and for their first appearance every credit must be afccoided them of making the. most of their characters, which it will te 'recollected, do not show to the best advantage. The Beauty was Miss Jessie Furrie and she likewise acted in a very pleasing manner', and was mos t gorgeously attired at-the fitting time, when she had made a splendid match, to the disappointment of her other two sisters. This, with, just a touch of present day life, did not seem to much disconcert her. W hen does it ? Master Furrie took the part of the " Beast " under discouraging circumstances, f>'om having early in the afternoon received a cricket ball on his left eye with sufficient force to cut and blacken it He was however undaunted and went through the part in a very excellent manner. The make up as a beast was grand and had the effect of frightening some ot the smaller of the audi- 4 ence who were too close to him. A a a prince he blossomed out as gay a young spark, as ever gladdened a maiden's eye. Miss Kitty 'Why te^ as the Fairy Queen Moonbeam, made a very charming picture, and ehe g'aid her say in a distinct voice and with a pleasing manner, and was accomj panied by her attendant, fairy, Miss Ada Bradcock. The Fairies were a number of pretty girls who were dressed in the customary attire of white dresses, silk stockings, silver shoes, and star 1 spangled, and +hey were also elecor-

ted with wings.cr a.i£ntd, and vrand Their names weie, " Crocus."' Mi Margaret Trask, " Lily ' Miss AH Puvcell, " Snowdrop " Miss Lat( AVil!iani3, •• Violet" Miss Ethel < Bidder ; and the Missas Ruby Fras£ Ada Bradcock, Gertrude llanic Nellie Harris, Annie Perrsan, Ann Collins, Mabel Liddell, KUie Gille pie, and Mary Cawston. I'he two little pages were Masfce John Lewis and Percy East in. The fairies did their portion in tl play. Thar first- appearance was a singing quadrille, which was bol prettily sang and danced. The ne item was a fairy walfez, which Mi: Lsttie Williams introduced and thf the song was taken up by the othn* A very pretty scene was tl "Lullaby," which discovered tl fairies reclining amongst spoils fro; the native forests, such as the folia.i of the cabbage trees &c. which ha been gallantly obtained by the be scholars for the occasion. A prett sound of voicas carrying the song i the audience was heard whilst tl: fairy forms were lighted up by re flre. The Barn danco was anotlu item, and the last scene, whic sent the audience home well pleasec was the grand tableaux in which th fiiriea and tho 'performers in th play were artistica'ly grouped, an illuminated by red fire. We must not forgot to thank Mis Billantine for the excellent musi provided by her all through th evening, and her exertions in thi manner told most importantly^ o the successful and gratifying prn gress of the whole enter :ainm n< We are sure the performers agrei with us in this statement. Mr All Fraser gave his valuable assistant as stage manager and he must bay been,,, rewarded by seeiug so man; rising amateurs shaping towards tin amusement he particularly adheres fj. Mr McMillan gave able assist ance ' also, as did Mr Fume. I must be gratifying to Mrs Stewar to knowthat she had o.ily to ask so a; to receive the assistance of those she needed. Mr Rhodes tool; charge oi the door, an important positioi owingtq the great rush for places Others ho doubt helped whom we have not mentioned, as in fact the whole performance brought "out' the best qualities of everybody. Il would not be fair of the public tc accept the position Mr Stewart marked out for himself, as he has undoubtedly been untiring in his efforts to forward the success of the entertainment in every way and has fortunately reaped his reward by a gross receipt of nearly £24. The band have to be thanked for having gratuitously' provided som-> pleasing selections outside the hall previous to the commencement of the entertainment, and for which they received well deserved applause. We : cannot conclude the report of this peisaat Wyeniug' witlnufc thanking Mrs Stan ell, on behalf of thf li tie performers, for liar graa good-nature and thoughtfu'ness in ' '3>T.Jv'ding 6ome c-ilcesi Iruit- and •- lght drink for them or. the end o? t'lo performance, and fur which the littlo oiks gnve three m a l , hearty cheers. TheCoinmittee dtsire that parents should m<ko a still further eftVt to send their children to the school, as Monday commi-nces a new qtmiter, and if the average can i-e got over 200 the teaching staff will be farther increased.