CONVENT SCHOOL CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2673, 18 December 1923, Page 2

CONVENT SCHOOL CONCERT.

A CHARMING ENTERTAINMENT. There was a large and appreciative audience at the Town Hall last night on the occasion of the annual concert by the pupils of St. Mary’s Convent. Prior to the concert, the Citizens Band played a number of acceptable items in the Triangle. The stage was beautifully decorated with greenery and flowers. roses predominating with varicoloured streamers, and as the children, in their pretty costumes, made their appearance, the setting presented a feast of colour which delighted the audien'ce. The programme submitted was entirely by the pupils, even to the playing of the accompaniments, and consisted of instrumental items of more than passing merit, choruses, graceful dancing and humorous musical sketches, the whole presented without a hiteh, whieh demonstrated eareful and painstaking preparation. A pleasing feature was the clear enunciation by the little ones. The programme opened with the chorus; “The Wind and the Harp,” the balance, harmony and general interpretation being of exceptional merit. Misses Sorensen and Roore contributed a pianoforte duet. Twelve senior girls, prettily costumed, executed a graceful dance. The action song, in costume, by a company of tiny tots, the little girls dressed to represent various doll, characters and the hoys as blackfaeed gollv-wogs, sent the audience into fits of laughter by the original antics of the jealous disputants until the good furies made their appearance and restored harmony. The clever little sketch had to be repeated. The action song by eleven boys, dressed as tramps, was another mirth-provoking item. Miss Maggie Hynes contributed a pianoforte solo in a masterly fashion and ill conjunction with Miss Algar played a very acceptable duet. Another pleasing instrumental item was a pianoforte duet- by Misses Madge MeColl and Majorie Hunt. The choruses by the senior girls, “Flowery Garlands,” was very artistic and graceful. The action song, “Butterflies,” by the girls was another prettily executed item. The action song “Busy Workers,” was well received. The concluding item on the first half was a side-splitter entitled the “Grand Orchestra.” As the conductor of this weird and wonderful band, .Tack Barrett fair-. !y excelled himself and simply eclip-" sed Johnny Holder’s most extrava- * - gant gesticulations when leading np to an intricate movement. The item which scored pride of place with the “dolls” was a duet in character by Clair Delanv (“Polly Hopkins”) and Ngaire Dunn (“Tommy Tomkins”). The make-up and excellent acting of the twain was splendid. A farce the “Omnibus Collision” and the cantata. “The Bogus Inspector, 11 ' were of special merit and much appreciated. -At the conclusion the Rev. Father McDermid thanked the Sisters of the Convent and those taking part tor the excellent performance and lii> remarks were endorsed by the audience. Those responsible desire to sincere I_, thank Mr Holder and the Band, and Mr 11. Reid, hall caretaker, and all those who assisted with the decorations.