THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 31, 10 December 1897, Page 31

THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL.

ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE CITY HALL.

A veky large and enthusiastic audience greeted the pupils of the Christian Brothers' School at their entertainment in the City Hall last Friday evening. The hall was filled to overflowing, and the frequent and spontaneous applause which greeted the performers showed that the large audience thoroughly appreciated the excellent entertainment that was provided.

The programme opened with a very lively and taking overture by an orchestra composed of the boys of the school, under the direction of Mr. F. Stokes. The choruses " Labour " and " Life in the woods," by the singing class, formed a most enjoyable item, the boys' voices blending admirably, and the excellent time they kept affording ample proof that no pains had been spared in their training. The gymnastic exercises, under the conductorship of Instructor J. C. Smith, were gone through in a manner that reflected great credit on both teacher and pupils. The marching, drilling, wand and dumb-bell exercises were all performed with great precision, the audience showing their appreciation by hearty rounds of applause. The two part song " The organ's peal," by selected voices, was capitally rendered, and proved a most enjoyable item. The first part of the programme concluded with the representation of two scenes from " Julius Caesar," including the assassination of Caesar and the scene in the Forum. It was a decidedly ambitious effort, but the performance proved a complete success, and it is impossible to speak too highly of the splendid dramatic display given by the boys. The three principal characters, those of Caesar, Mark Anthony, and Brutus, were sustained by Masters Thomas Pound, .1. B. Callan, and H. Hungerford respectively, and they played these most difficult parts in a way that did them infinite credit. One hardly knew which to most admire, the skill and efficiency of the teachers in bringing the performers to such perfection, or the native abi ity of the boys which inadesuch perfection possible. The performance was a rare treat for the audience and one which was fully appreciated. A feature of the representation was the active and intelligent part taken by the boys forming the crowd of citizens. It must have been somewhat of a problem to the teacher how to keep a number of boys who had very little to say and had to remain on the stage for so long a stretch at a time from being stiff and mechanical, but the problem was happily solved, and the "crowd" acted with a naturalness and animation that greatly contributed to the general success. A well rendered selection, " Klondyke," by the boy's orchestra formed the opening item of the second part of the programme. This orchestra, though but recently formed, has already reached a very high state of efficiency, a fact which is almost entirely due to the warm personal interest and exceptional musical ability of the director. Mr. F. Stokes. Mr. Stokes' services as instructor and conductor have been given in a cheerful, willing spirit which has made it pleasant both for him that gives and for those that take, and has placed both the ;boys and their teachers under a deep debt of gratitude to him. Following the overture came two admirably rendered choruses, "God made all Nature free " and " O'Donnell Aboo." Master D. Wyatt sang in inimitable style the humorous song " Still his whiskers grew," and fairly brought down the house by his clever eccentricies. Master Wyatt possesses a capital voice and the imitative and comic faculty which he displayed is altogether wonderful in so young a boy. '• The Burglary at Mrs. Maylie's," a humorous sketch from " Oliver Twist" was then enacted by boys of the school, and was given in a way that afforded the audience no end of merriment. All the parts were exceedingly well taken, the lion's share of the work falling to Masters D. O'Connell (as Bill Sikes). N. J. Ryan (as Toby Crackit), ,T. Tobin (as Barney), and D. O'Neill (as Mr. Giles). Master R. Burke made a model Oliver Twist and played his part in a most realistic fashion. Master F. Woods, who has a very pure, clear voice, sang with excellent taste and expression the solo " Sweet chiming bells," a quartette of selected voices joining in the chorus. A gymnastic exhibition with Indian "clubs, parallel bars, and vaulting horse, was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The precision and agility with which the boys went through the various exercises could fcarcely be surpassed, and afforded ample proof that the physical as well as the mental train ing of the boys is carefully attended to. A ttihlvnxt, consisting of all the performerssuitably grouped brought to a close an entertainment whiuh we have no hesitation in saying was one of the best or its kind over given in Dunedin, and one of which botU the teachers and the performers may feel pardonably proud.