MUSIC AND DRAMA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1938, Page 8

MUSIC AND DRAMA

ENTERTAINMENT AT SOLWAY COLLEGE.

HIGH STANDARD MAINTAINED.

Last evening was the occasion of the annual presentation of music and drama by the pupils of Solway College. The varied programme was of a high standard throughout as was evidenced by the enthusiasm of the large audience. The programme opened with a vigorous two piano duo. This, and other similar items were a feature of the evening. The piano soli were equally effective, showing some artistic musicianship, and were chosen from masters old and new. The singing by the school choir revealed a richness of quality and a thoroughness of training which made their renderings of Christmas carols, Maori melodies and lilting part songs a delight to hear. The final part of the programme comprised a dignified verse speaking play—“ Everyman.” This is a morality play written towards the end of the 15th century. The simplicity and sincerity, together with the unassuming stage setting and the colourful and picturesque mediaeval costuming, made it as effective and convincing as a play of modern authorship.

The programme was: — Piano duo, Hungarian Dance, S. Scott and M. Ince; piano soli: —Biddy, N. Dockery; Pas des Fleurs, L. Lassen; Bohemian Dance, J. Allen. Songs: Now o'er Land and Sea Descending, Pokare Kare Ana. The Piper, the choir. Piano duo: Musette. H. Ince and P. Brown. Piano solo: Minuet, F. Brown: Shadow Dance, N. Reid; Allegretto, P. Whitefield. Piano duo: Gavotte: Baa Baa Black Sheep, N. Reid and O. Marsack. Cello solo: Ave Maria, P. Blamires. Piano duo: Dance of the Candy Fairy, J. Donghi and Z. Mexted. Xmas carols: Over the Fields of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Good King Wenceslas, the choir. Piano solo' Hunting Tune, M. Syme; Troika, J. Eyre. Piano duo: Hark! Hark! the Lark, P, Blamires and Ml Syme. Songs: O Peaceful England, Go Lovely Rose, Tales from the Vienna Wood, the choir. Piano solo: Puck, Little White Donkey, P. Blamires; Rigoletto, B. Bishop. Piano duo: Waltz, J. Eyre and S. Millar. “Everyman”—a morality play: “Here beginneth a treatise how the High Father of Heaven sendeth Death to summon every creature to come and give account of their lives in this world and is in manner of a moral play.” “Everyman” was written or translated from the Dutch towards the end of the 15th century). Characters: Messenger, as prologue. Beryl Crystall; Everyman, Marie Prebble; Death, Millicent Ince; Fellowship, Pauline Carter; Kinsman, Phyllis McGregor; Riches, Gail Fletcher; Good Deeds. June Hislop; Strength, Dorothy Newell: Discretion, Marjorie Dykes; Five Wits, Beryl Crystall; Beauty, Shirley Scott; Knowledge, Betty Bishop.