THE CONVENT CONCERT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 19, 16 December 1916, Page 5

THE CONVENT CONCERT.

PLEASINC E MTE RTA IN ME NT

The Sisters of the Convent are ui i he heartily congratulated on the con- ‘ cert in aid of the prize fund held in 'j His .Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The attendance filled the theatre to ( the doors, and with the monies ac- 1 eruing from the sale of tickets by the s children and others sufficient will be « gathered for the worthy object in t view. As to the programme submitted, there was variety and quality i which all present thoroughly appro- j elated, and it was a .big crowd very ; pleased with itself that wended its . homeward way about 10.135. The 1 overture was an orchestral selection . under the direction of Mr C. H. box, which was much appreciated and ( placed the audience at their ease. A ; picture programme of three films— War Gazette (topical), “hake of ; Thanmai” (scenic), and “A Bathhouse Mystery” (comic) —was witnessed with interest in the extreme, while the Ihst-mentioned was the real ; scream that the management announced. The plot centred round a 1 swimming school for women at the seaside, and the antics of the swimmiers and the spectators led to situa- , tions irresistibly risible in the predicaments of the performers. The film was genuinely funny throughout, and it was agreed it was well-chosen for the occasion. This part of the programme concluded about nine o’clock, and concert pieces and children’s items wore included in the second half. Another lively march by the orchestra set the music going, and was followed by a pianoforte duet, “Gallop Brilliante” (Francis Behr), which received” full justice at the hands of Misses S. and D. I’itzgerald, the execution of the difficult passages with which the piece abounds reflecting great credit upon the pianistes and teachers alike. The the first of the children’s items "as a song, “Britain's Soldier Boys,” by a company of khaki-clad youngsters who acquitted themselves soldierly while the singing and drill was well done. The roll-call was as follows: Masters George Hall, Zam Foley, Peter Zimmerman, Gerald Fitzgerald, Andrew Fitzgerald, Bert Healy, Tom Sullivan. Willie Harrington, Leu Coley, George Clifton, Fred Gooch, Herman Fisher, Dick Hunter, Albert Hunter, Willie Croft, Norman Lniacke, Clem Burkett, George Berg, George Quayle, and Lindsay Ruscoe. “Soul of Mine” (Ethel Barns), the first vocal solo, was sung with much feeling by Miss Constance Ecilly, of Hawera. * She has a pleasing voice of wide range and flexibility and hex enunciation and execution are excellent. In response to a demand for an encore, Miss Reilly gave a spirited rendition of “The Minstrel Boy. A recitation, “Did You ever get a Letter,” by Miss Francis Uniacke (in the unavoidable absence of Miss Molly Malone owing to a sudden attach of illness) was received with applause, the youthful performei acquitting herself very well considering the short notice for rehearsal. Mrs C. Massey (Stratford) always commands a host of admirers of hei voice, and last evening her singing of “Mother Macree” was very flatteringly received, and as a recall number she gave “Daffodils in My Garden,” which also suited her well. Hoop drill by twelve girls dressed in white with red sashes was clock-like in rhythm and in spectacular effect was very pretty. This was speciallj well done by the following girls: Misses Isabel Kirkwood, Mabel Geraghty, May Finlay, Mary Hewes, Greta Fitzgerald, Annie Grant, Andre Uniacke, Jessie Thacker, Kathleen Hewes, Mary Coley, Linda Sullivan, and Kathleen Grant. The action song “Chatterbox,” by a host of wee tots was done with an amount of childish enthusiasm and joy that captivated the hearts of the audience. The dressing of the children in their boxes must have meant no small task in itself, not to mention the training in the song and actions. The little Chatterboxes were: Misses Frances Uniacke, Ngaere Peniberthy, Edna Alger, Rita Bonner, Nellie Alger, Nora Garvey, Stella Hunter, Mary Sullivan, Grace Townley, Dons Tunbridge, Mary Tunbridge, Katie Burkett, Bernadet Clifton, Mary Massey, Nell Fitzgerald, Andre Uniacke, Greta Fitzgerald, Linda Sullivan, Lily Bonner, Connie Bonner, Eileen Bonner, Isabelle Hunter, Myrtle Hunter, Nellie Fitzgerald, Kathleen Grant, Hope Grant, Peggie Dwyer, Florrie Bianchi, Ivy 0 Keefe,

Nora Bowler, Maggie Bowler, Alma Thacker, Becky ‘ Taylor, Thelma Arden, and Lily Mahoney. Mr CL T. Walters’ choice of solo was good, and Ins singing of “Land of Hope and Glory” was such as to call for an encore. The action song, “Kissing 1 Daddv through the Telephone,” was essentially a wee tots’ effort. The theme of the piece appealed to the souls of the listeners, and every mother’s son of them applauded the little ones. Their names were: Misses Frances Lniacke, Ngatic jPemberthy, Edna Alger, Hita Bonner, Nellie Alger, Nora Garvey, Stella Hunter, Mary Sullivan, Grace TownIcy Doris Tunbridge, Mary runbridge, Katie Burkett, Bermadet Clifton, Mary Massey, Nell Fitzgerald, Andre Lniacke, Linda Sullivan, Lily Bonner, Nellie Fitzgerald, Kathleen Grant, Hope Grant, Peggie Dwver, Florrie Bianchi. Ivy O’Keefe, ’ Maggie Bowler, Alma Thacker,

Becky Taylor, Thelma Arden and Lilv Mahonev. The audience were

again delighted to hear Miss who sang with suitable effect Sun* shine and Daffodils (Florence Ayl* ward) and as an encore showed judg' mont in giving tlie popular song, “Keep the Horae Fires Burning-*, 1 The last school item was entitled “Japanese Umbrella,” by elder girls dressed in the national costume of the Land of the Rising Sun. The singing and acting of the group was equal to the pupils’ best efforts throughout the evening, while the ’spectacular effect was of a high order. The Japanese girls in their multi-colored dresses and umbrellas arc known in everyday life as the Misses Annie Grant, May Finlay, Greta Fitzgerald, Isabel Hunter, Maggie Bowler, Eileen Bonner, Nora Bowler, Teresa Jans, Eileen Kelly, Constance Bonner, Myrtle Hunter, and Nellie Fitzgerald. The evergreen ventriloquial act of Mr Fred holey, assisted by McGinty, created roars of laughter being presented in the popular Fred’s own inimitable style and especially pleasing to the youngsters. “God Save the King.’ During the evening,’ the management of the children was entrusted to Miss Dolly Fitzgerald, who deserves a special word of commendation for her very successful efforts. It was a matter for remark that the crowd of youngsters behaved themselves to the extent of sinking their identity which is the best compliment that can be paid to them and to their teachers. The accompanists were Miss S. Fitzgerald (children’s items), Miss Agnes Robson, Miss Daisy Reilly, and Mr C. H. Fox. Father Maples took the opportunity of thanking all those who had assisted in the concert, one and all of the performers and the audience for their generous support, special thanks being due to Mr F. Foley for the use of the theatre and his personal contributions.