TAIHAPE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3651, 13 December 1920, Page 4

TAIHAPE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

A very interesting afternoon was spent at the School on Friday' last, when the pupils of the Secondary Department as a close to the year's work, gave a reading of Shakespeare 's '' Merchant " oT VenriTce,'' which was much enjoyed, by the parents and friends who were present.

After a brief statement of the argument of the play, readings were given from several of the principal scenes, the children entering into the psrformancae with a zest which showed that they had carefully studied and thoroughly appreciated their various parts, the. fact that some of the male characters were taken by the girls not detracting from the merit -of the rendering. Antonio (the merchant) was admirably represented by Kathleen Adlam, and the part of Bassanio, his friend, was well read by Ivan Carter. , Phyllis McGdashen'a (rendering iof Portia was excellent, as was also that of Nerissa, her maid, by Buth' 'Cairns. The portrayal of Shylock, the Jew, by Lawrence O'Leary, was very well done, while the rendering of several of the minor parts was also praiseworthy and afforded no little amusement.

During the afternoon the girls gave several pianoforte solos anoV •sang two or three gtees; and at. the close the visitors were entertained to afternoon tea provided by the girls under the superintendence of Miss Dean, a pleasurable proof of the practical Instruction tho pupils hava received. Altogether the event proved both entertaining and instructive, and it is perhaps not too much to hope that come of the youthful performers may help, in days tp come, to form the nucleus of a Shakesperiaa or Literary Society in Taihape.