BUCKLAND.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 322, 30 October 1917, Page 4

BUCKLAND.

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S ENTERIAINMENT "Cinderella" as presented by the Buckland school children in aid of the Red Cross Fund at the Buckland Public Hall on Friday last, under the auspices of the Buckland Women's Patriotic League, was so well organised and carried out that it deserved a larger audience than was possible in the comparatively small building at Buckland although the Hall was filled to overflowing. Indeed a hope was expressed and we trust-that it will not be overlooked—that it will be presented elsewhere in aid of another worthy object. In the opening scene (Cinderella's kitchen) Miss Pipi Wilv as " Cinderella" had that perfect natural pose and demeanour especially befitting the character of Cinderella which placed her .at once on a high level among amateurs. There was an absence of stiffness of her movements and whether in the kitchen cleaning her shoes discarding her poor dress later for her silk attire her acting throughout was faultless. She had evidently grasped the full significance of the Shakespearian advice "to fit the word to the action and the action to the word." "The Fairy Godmother,"which part was so well taken by Miss Gwen Sweet, gave evidence of careful and consistent training and while her duties as such did not demand so much as in the case of Cinderella she fulfilled her role creditably. When the fairies and elves appeared in white Cinderella donned her white silk dress as she appeared surrounded by the fairies, who, young as they were, seemed to carry out their respective parts equally well, the applause of the audience being sincere and unmistakably appreciative. In Act 11. the scene opened with an apartment in the Palace adjacent to the ballroom and Miss Edith Haire who carried out the part of " Papa" did so gracefully. There was an easy atbomeness about her manner and speech also which compelled the audience to applaud her, not her because Miss Haire's words were many, but the sincerity of her acting compelled the audience to respond. Mies Edna Wright and Miss Una Wily who took the role of the sisters each discharged their parts faultlessly and it would be indiscreet to particularise, so well did both act. Miss Doris Avery, as Prince Charming, was evidently in- her element as Prince. Not only did the prince's dress become her, but she had that nobility of manner and dignity which belonged to Miss Avery and was seen to advantage in the character under review lu Act 111. the scene was laid in the garden outside Cinderella's House and the management are to be congratulated 4s ffiakiag - the "bs3t' of the material. When a number of boys appeared on the stage attired in green playing " leap frog" they not only caused much amusement but their gorgeous costumes, poitrayed more vividly by the brilliant light, produced a rather pretty effect. As Courtier Miss Polly Todd and Miss Ruby Steele discharged their respective parts to the satisfaction of all, while Miss Myrtle Wright as Lady Guy appeared to eclipse the others in her forceful and dramatic utterances. Both in speech and action Miss Wright showed that rare discernment and keen intuition which brought out her natural gifts in acting and in no part did she fail to keep to that high standard of ability throughout Special mention should be made too of little Miss Myrtle Neale who as Herald carried out her vai ied duties creditably. Her task was not the | easiest and she played her part well. In the final grouping, when all the artists with the fairies were gathered together to sing the "Sweet Cindei rella" choius, there was the same I completeness of detail and from the J rising of the curtain to the close the i production was a great success, j Those who acted as fairies and elves wereFaries: Glynn Waterhouse, j Alice Murray, Jessie Ferguson, ! Kathleen Piggott, Eveleyn Rogers, j Vera Melville, Dulcie Wright, I Caroline Wolfe, May Smith; Elves : | Basil King, Noel Gummer, Graham I Hamilton, James Steele, Lionel j Piggot,|Eric Ferguson. The traini ing of the children was in the capable hands of Mrs 11. H. D. Wily and to that lady most of the success of the evening is due. Miss Allan ably presided at the piano and Mr A. Smith had charge of the stage light ing which added to the effective i arrangement of the play. Mr \'.'ily carried out the duties of manager capably and in every way proved an energetic worker. At the close of the performance Mr Neale proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Airs Wily for the trouble taken to provide such an excellent entertainment and this was carried by three cheers. Mrs Wily sui'ably replied saying that the woik was a labour of love Musical items wero contributed by Mrs Hunter and Mr H. E. Outre!, and in the interval Mr Wily announced that the financial result was most encouraging. The floor was the cleared and dancing was freely indulged in until morning dawned The creditable nett balance of £'27 los remains as the result of the entertainment, an easy record for any similar function given in Buckland.