ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT AT KERRYTOWN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 26 November 1897, Page 29

ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT AT KERRYTOWN.

(From an occasional correspondent.) The annual entertainment given by the pupils attending StJoseph's Convent School, Kerry town, was held earlier this year than in previous ones — on November 8. The evening's programme eclipsed all previous ones, while the attendance may fairly be similarly designated. The Sisters of St. Joseph spared no trouble in having the staging rendered most effective, and the fitting up of the scenery was allocated to Messrs. C. Bates and Co., Temuka, who made the most of it.

The first part of the programme was opened with an overture " Mattel's waltz," by Mi3ses Scannell and Brosnan, who fairly sus tamed the reputation of their teachers. In the full chorus, " O'Don nell Aboo," patient and careful training was evident, and nothing: was left to be desired. " Taming- a Tiger '" (a farce) was somewhatan object lesson, and^Masters O'Driscoll, Fitzgerald and Sullivan represented the parts allotted to them intelligently. Miss Brosnan pleasantly rendered the solo " Some day I'll wander back again," as did also the infant children the action song, l> The little cooks " in a clockworklike manner. '• The Abyssinian expedition " (piano duet) was artistically executed by Masters O'Driscoll and Sullivan. The story of the ever-popular duet '• The crookit bawbee" (in costume) was faithfully told in most melodious voice by Master Brosnan and Miss Julia Hoare, which brought the programme to a very pleasing item — a solo by Miss Sullivan, " Has sorrow thy young days shaded." Too much praise cannot be given to the simple, yet feeling, way in which this item was rendered. The drama "The Unappreciated Genius" Avas played in more than '-amateur" style, and the parts were well balanced. The cast was :— Mrs. Brown (lady who writes to the newspapers), Miss Lucy O'Driscoll ; Mr. Brown (her husband), Master Eugene Breen ; servant, Miss Hannah Stack ; children, Masters Day, Sullivan. Scannell and L. Stack. The duet, '• Pulaski's banner" was feelingly rendered by the Misses Coughlan, and a musical treat followed, the cantata '• The White Garland." The characters were :— The Queen, Miss Julia Hoare ; Perseverance, Miss Lynch ; Punctuality, Miss Coughlan ; Generosity, Miss G. Hoare ; Quarrelsome Scholar, Master O'Driscoll ; Selfish Scholar, Master Sullivan ; Tardy Scholar, Master Brosnan. An unlimited amount of care must have been bestowed in the teaching of this somewhat difficult piece, and certainly it would have been diiEcult to improve upon it. . The second part was ushered in by an overture entitled " Irish airs," in which Master and Miss Fitzgerald were deservedly encored. Miss Coughlan, in her simple and unpretentious style, sang " Heather hills." One of the pleasant things about this young lady's singing is that she puts on no "airs" — so detrimental to mary who are much less entitled to them than the person mentioned. The junior sinking class was successful in the action song '• The fisher girls " (in costume. A farce, which created no small amount of amusement, was " Scene from the beach school," sustained by Masters J. Scannell, Sullivan. S. Scannell, J. Leonard, J. Jireen. J. Connell, J. Stack, Patrick Brosnan, M. O'Driscoll, and Joseph Kelly. The pathetic solo. " The fisherman and his child," was softly and sweetly sung by Miss J. Coughlan, and the infant children were again pleasing in the tambourine drill. Miss Brosnan was heard to advantage in the

solo " The rowan tree," and Misses O'Driscoll gave a vivacious and creditable rendering of the piano duet'-Qui Vive." Misses Julia Hoare and M. Lynch made a hit in the burlesque vocal duet, " You shan't play in our yard,"' and then followed the drama, " Alls Well That Ends Well," and considered from all points it ended well. The cast was: Mrs. Anner^ly, Miss Hoare; Julia Anuersly, Miss L. Gosling ; Mrs. Man t ford, Miss Brosnan ; Mrs. Raymond, Miss M. Ajfloare ; Miss Nicely, Miss M. Coughlan ; Miss Chatter. Miss Julia Afoaxe , Miss Pry, Miss A. Bro.-nan ; Mrs. Ilodgkins, Miss Connell ; Miss E. Stack. Each performer did first-class, and much o riconiium was bestowed by tho audience upon the production. "?-. ster Brosnan had to respond to an encore in his comic song, '•Paddy, the rascal," singing- "Kitty of Coolgardie." The action song, "The flower bells," by the senior pupils, brought the pro-

gramme to the last item, full chorus " Christmas chimes," which blended in perfect harmony. The accompaniments were played by Misses Hoare, Scannell, and Coughlan. When it is remembered that the Sisters had to prepare their pupils for the annual inspector's examination, when, by the way, all save, I think, two passed, one cannot help marvelling at the efficiency of the whole of the performers. Ac I have referred to the examination, a paragraph from the inspector's report on the school may not be out of place. He says : " This school has passed a highly satisfactory examination, and is a credit to the staff."' The dramatic pieces, the musical selections, and the singintr were really excellent, and all that can be done is to congratulate tho Sisters not only on the treat they prepared for the evening in question, but on the splendid results of their past year's teaching.