THE CHILDREN'S NIGHT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 300, 17 December 1914, Page 2

THE CHILDREN'S NIGHT.

STRATFORD'S GREAT SCHOOL

CONCERT.

Some annual Stratford events are generally regarded as conspicuously successful, and amongst these the annual concert of the Stratford District High School takes' supreme place. Last evening the concert in the Town Hall was not only a great success, but in all the many details in which both the little ones down to a few years of age, and the senior scholars took part, there was marked evidence of skilful, patient and untiring effort on the part of the teachers to produce not merely the best, but the very best. The Hall was crowded—perhaps overcrowded —

and not only was there a good representation of Stratford ladies and gentlemen, but many from the country. Mr J. 11. Hine, M.P., and Mis Hine were present, in addition to other prominent citizens. Punctually at eight o’clock the proceedings opened with an overture creditably rendered by the orchestra, follow ing which the , infant girls, all prettily dressed in white and red, pleasingly sang “The Dolls,” and ivere heartily applauded. When the infant boys dressed with white caps and aprons appeared on the stage they created immense amusement, and their rendering of the action song, “The Joiners,” called for groat praise. “The British Flag” as sung by the juniors, was, with the aid of a flag in both hands, effectively rendered, the movements of the children being carried out with precision and correctness. The junior girls who sang “The Sea Gulls” did so almost faultlessly, wdiilo the senior girls who appeared in a gipsy’s dress, each i carrying a tambourine, sang “The Gypsies” in snch a manner as to elicit great applause. When the infant girls who were all dressed in white sang “Water Fairies,” they not only pleased the large audience, hut must have gladdened those who, after much careful training, saw such a splendid result. Similar remarks also apply to

“Birdie’s Ball,” which was prettily sung by the junior girls. As a junior reciter, Ivy Speck effectively recited “Little Flo’s Letter,” although only a mere child, and did so with such perfect confidence and clearness as to be distinctly beard in the gallery. She was appreciated so much that an encore was called for, when to the amusement and pleasure of the audience, she bowed and partly repeated her recitation. In action songs the infants deserve especial praise," the rendering of “Nod, Mod, Sleepy Hoad” by the youngsters showed careful training, their collective movements being remarkably correct. This item was the last on the first part of the programme.

During the interval Mr P. Skoglund, as chairman of the School Committee, in thanking the audience- for such an immense gathering, which was encouraging to the committee, the teachers, and also the children, apologised for tho rabsence of .Mr Tyner (the Headmaster) through indisposition, to whom it would be a great disappointment not to be with them that night, Mr Skoglund concluded by saying that next year he hoped to see even a larger crowd, his speech being heartily applauded. In the children’s, operetta

wKich followed, the scene was artistically presented,, the arrangement on the stage being cleverly portrayed. “The Birth of the Union Jack,” in which Britannia was so creditably impersonated by Muriel Sanderson—and who, by the way, had much to give expression to—appealed to all because ft reflected the spirit of the times. The blending of the colors of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, the first named being represented by Clem Hodge, the second by Nolan Davis, and St. Patrick by Will Dobson—all of whom carried out their respective military duties with unqualified praise—was, perhaps, the best item of the evening. There was an absence of stiffness in the delivery of their respective lines, and the whole production calls for the highest praise. Nor did the piece lack touch, sentiment, and humour. Charlie Copostake, as Prime Minister, caused much amusement, while even Gallant Little Wales was represented by three girls, who sang “Men of Harlech” so effectively as to call forth an encore. The choruses; “The British Flag,” and also “Our First Line of Defence,” in which latter the midget sailors, looking ex-

ceedingly smart in their little uniforms, were especially well rendered. The marching throughout the whole

piece was carried out smartly and soldierly, and evinced great applause, our future “men of action” being trained in such a manner as to be regarded as perfect. Indeed, throughout the whole entertainment there was no bitch of any kind. When little Rita Grubb—now a familiar figure on the stage—danced the Sailor’s Hornpipe, it was an immensely taking and clever performance. The choruses, ' “Our Noble King” and “Flag of Victory,” sung with a feeling of intense loyalty, to the British Flag, expressed the spirit of these times, and when the whole company of juvenile children, all dressed becomingly smart, led the singing of the National Anthem, the ensemble was one not to bo easily forgotten. To the Committee and all the teaching staff, there is much, indebtedness for producing such an unexampled successful concert. Altogether, about £34 was taken in connection with the conceit, including tickets sold by the children .