HAMILTON EAST SCHOOL CONCERT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2713, 30 November 1889, Page 2

HAMILTON EAST SCHOOL CONCERT.

Ik evidence of tho sympathy felt in Hamilton towards those in distress was wanting, that evidence was supplied on Thursday evening by the crowded audionco which assembled at the Oddfellows' Hall for the concert given by the. Hamilton East school children in aid of Mr Mullions, whose housn was destroyed by fire on Sunday last. We are glad to see this charitable feeling among the young members of society, and especially in this case, as the children were makiug a large sacrifice. The original intention was to devote the proceeds towards providing a picnic and sports for the children, but they willingly cave up their own pleasure to provide for others who wero in need of help. Now that tho oxample has been set, we hope that something will be done by those benevolently disposed to assist others in Hamilton who are more in need of assistance than in the present case, and to ascertain whom little enquiry would need to be made. We arrived at the Hall ;i quarter of an horn- before the performance began, and at that time the building was more than half full. People from this time, we might say, canm in swarms, and at 8 o'clock the whole of tho sitting accommodation was occupied, and those that came later had to content themselves with standing room. Among the audience we noticed M. Licaseade, the Governor of Tahiti, togethfir with his wife and two children and private secretary. On previous oeoiissious we have been compelled to call attention to the noisiness of the audience and that of Thursday night was no exception to the rule. Cat calls, whistling and stamping were at many times the most conspicums part of the entertainment, and certainly during the long intervals the frequent outbursts somewhat relieved the dull monotony. If we mieht suggest these school concerts in which the performers are children and a large majority of the audience children also might be begun at say 730 p.m., and the time between the items considerably shortened so as to allow the children to get home at a proper hour for children, and be ready for their work next day. About £11 was taken at the door, and as a number only paid sixpences admission there inn»t have been considerably over 300 in tho hall. The programme might be divided into three parts, songs, tableaux and play, (wo were almost saying four and including intervals). The songs which were four in number were very creditably rendered considering the tender ages of some of the performers and they reflect great credit on Miss Sander whose care and training produced the good results. The tableaux (four in number) were under the control of Miss Biggs, and she must have exercised great skill and patience in training hur charges. The dresses and mounting in each case, were very elaborate, and magnesium light in the fairy scene greatly enhanced the effect. The following is tho list of thetablenux and tho characters requested:—Queen of Hearts (three scenes): Queen, Mi*s C. Melville ; Knavo, Master W. Coombp.K ; Maid, Miss Ethel Conmbes. Sewing Lesson (one scene) : Old Nurse, Miss Coates : Page, Master A. Spain ; Girl, Miss N. Dixon ; Boy, Master B. Smytho. Little Boy Blue (2 scenes): Little Boy Blue, Master I<\ Stevens ; Playmates, Misses Lily Dey, Mabel Evans, Maria Henry, and Alice Johnson and Master W. Hooper and Charlie Steadman. Fairy scene (twnsoenes) : Queen of Fairies, Miss Francis Murray: Fairies, Misses M. Stevens, Ethel and Lily Coates, Agnes Davey, J. Reid and Cora Meacheui. As an after piece the play " The Magic Glass " was staged, and reflected great credit on tho management. The dresses and acting were splendid, and some of the youthful performers would have put f.o shame many of their older confreres who pay tribute to tho stock and buskin. The characters represented were: King Formosus, Master Frank Cowpar; Dowager Queen. Mias N. Cowper; Princess Florimolln, Mi-is C. Le. Quesno ; Countess Nosky, Miss M. Mason ; Fairy Godmother, Miss F, Murray ; Prince Paiurtaxis. Master J. Quick; Count A/iiaacer, Afast&r R. Giilctt; Baron Kutitc.ff, Master F. Winter; Ambassador, Master A. Gilletfc; Page, Master T. Winter.