THE CHRISTMAS FETE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8016, 30 December 1905, Page 2

THE CHRISTMAS FETE.

The Fete continues with unabated vigour. On Friday night there was another large attendance, and brisk business was done. The programme was entirely new, and despite the absence through illness of one of the leaders in the " Estudiantina" chorus, the various items were well rendered, and received hearty applause. The first item was an attractive gipsy chorus, in which about twenty took part. The staging and chorus were excellent, Mrs Connop took the solo, and was heard to distinct advantage, although her singing was not up to her usual high standard—a result of her continuous labour for the success of the Fete. The Fairy Queen (Miss May Clarke) took the stage as the gipsies skipped off, and at a word filled it with pretty little dancing fairies, who circled and intermingled with pretty effect, doing homage to their queen. There were over twenty little girls in their all-white fairy costumes, and they entered with spirit into their work. The "Rose Gavotte" was a pretty spectacular item. Eight young ladies, attired to resemble pink roses, with green in relipf, grappa the stage for somp minutes, the general effect being heightened by the rythmic motions of their floral hoops. Miss Kathy Bennett was even more successful than usual in her skirt dance, Tho "Estudiantina" chorus was a good item, the dressing being on a most elaborate scale. Mr W. Parker acted the serenading cavalier to perfection. The next item, and th,e last, was a. very arranged tableau, the whole of the evening's performers being grouped on the stage. Altogether the entertainment had but one fault—it was too brief. The audience would have gladly watched its repitition. The specially set scene was very line, and a credit to Mr Slovens who, arranged it. It represented tlm imtMnoo to a mansion, its portico festooned with flowers, whilst not far tjistant the water splashed gently over a fall of rocks. It was real water, too, not merely a stage article. To-night the programme will be repeated. Several raffles haye now filled and. wtfl be drawn,