CONVENT SCHOOL CONCERT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 16 December 1916, Page 4

CONVENT SCHOOL CONCERT.

The concert held in connection witn the Taihape Convent school Avas held last night, and was in every way a complete success. There was a crowded house, and everything passed off as smoothly as could be wished. The audience showed their appreciation of the various items in an unmistakable manner, and the success of the cotfeert must be very gratifying to .the sisters, who have spared no time and pains in training the pupils to do justice to their parts. All the arrangements were well carried out, and when it is remembered what difficulties training the young folks entails, it is surprising the results achieved. The dresses were a credit to the wearers, and the stage arrangements in the various scenes v.vrc excellent. A selection of "Irish National Airs'' by the Taihape orchestra opened the programme, followed by a bracketed number, ".Santa Lucia " ano "The Last Eose of Summer," by the senior pupils. Though both items Avert nicely sung, the former, if anything, was the better. "Jack and Jill" by th< juniors, was nicely rendered, the "busi ness" incidental to the song being yerj well done. The sextette "Nocturne,'' by Mrs Neagle, Misses A Bcr ?nshaw Murphy, Ingnen, McLaughlin Kear ins, though one or two minor fault:; il phrasing were evident, was very aecep table. The \u>y<. fairly revelled in th< song, "The Tall Top Hat," each oi the singers appearing in a top hat, anc an expansive smile. "Boute en Train,' a piano duet, by Misses Carpenter anc Kearins, was well played, though ii this and other piano items the plant was placed i" a disadvantageous posi tion, so far as acoustic results wen concerned. A dialogue, between Mia Kathleen Williams and Master Fran! Healey, entitled "The Dunces/' wai well spoken and acted, the humour o: the schoolchildren 's quarrel being wel brought out. The scene, "The To> Shop," was one of the prettiest item! of the evening, the dressing and stag ing being very appropriate, while tin humour of the irrepressible "Jack-in the-box" was thoroughly enjoyed the juveniles. Miss Sparks made : charming fairy queen. Selection by or chestra followed. "Kathleen Mavour neen," by Mrs Neagle, Misses A. Ber tenshaw, Murphy,' Ingpen, McLaughlii and Kearins was nicely vocalised "Dainty Dancing Fairies," by tin juniors, was appreciated by. the audi ence, the part of the fairy queen beinj taken by Miss M. Beard on, win made an ideal little queen. The oi chestra then played an inspiriting march. "Hark! the Drum," a. niarcl and song, by the senior boys, ajpealei to the martial spirit of the times "Grandmother's Old" was remarkabl for the make-up of the actors, each o the gills appearing in the garb, of ol< women, who acted and sang thei

parts with appropriate gestures;.! , 1 march and song, entitled "Good-night' by the infant girls was very prett; indeed. Miss K. Kearins . played th "Gavotte dc Corelli" very daintily Four scenes from the cantata, "Re Riding Hood," were then staged b the pupils, the different character being taken in a pleasing manner. Mis Rita Beban made a charming "fairy,-' and Miss Lily Siddell acte the character of "Little Red Ridin Hood" in a very natural and el gaging manner. We felt quite concen ed for her safety when she met th "wolf" (Master Derbidge) —a most fv rocious-looking beast, by the way, b»t who was speedily vanquished by th good fairy. A piano duct, "Polka Brilliante, : was played by Misses O'Callaghan an Murphy. Miss B. Powell sang a son in a manner remarkable for one o her years, her enunciation being pei feet, and at its conclusion received round of applause. A piano quartett by four little maidens —Misses Healej Rutherford, Parker and most enjoyable item, the time and Cl pression exhibited being excellent. Father Connolly, who appeared in th uniform of a chaplain of the Exped tionary Forces, received an ovatio when he came on the stage to than the audience for the support they ha given to the concert. On behalf of th sisters of the convent he thanked a those who had contributed towards th success of the concert, and pointed or the amount of work and time that ha been given by the sisters to the trail 'ing of the children. The result c their labours was the programme whic had been submitted to them that evei ing, and he thought the sisters were ei titled to great praise for the resull achieved, a remark that was enthusiai tically endorsed by the audience.