CROMWELL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 38, 21 September 1905, Page 20

CROMWELL

(From an occasional correspondent.) September IG. The annual concert of the convent pupils is always eagerly looked forward to by all classes of the community, on account of the excellent repertoire of singing, music, and exercises proivided. On Thursday even me;, the pupils faced the largest audience ever gathered in the Athenaeum Hall, it being densely packed to the doors. The girl pupils of St. John's School sang the part song, ' Bella Napoli, with fine 'effect. The ffoodiiiight drill was a treat to witness, the precision with which' the little <lets» recited their respective pieces and went through their exercises'being \ery creditable. A pianoforte duet by Misses Martha and Ivy Mitchell, and a pianoforte solo 'by Miss Maud Mitchell were excellent items, a pianoiorto duet in the second lpart by Misses 1 Ida and Master Mopis being also very good. Mrs. Morris sang- ' The beating of my" own heart with frne effect. The gem of tha evening was the vocal duct, ' The wild rose,' by Miss Ivy Barker aad Master Clarence Barker. A perfect storm of applause greeted them at the finish, and they had to respond to an undeniable 'encore. Mr. John McKcchnie danced an Irish jig and Highland fling; in his inimi table style. ' Scarf fantastics 'by Misses K. and C. Thomas, M. and T. Mitchell, S. and C. Scoles, and F. Hayes was a very artistic performance. A drama, 1 The Carnduff Legacy,' was staged, the characters being sustained by Misses Cahill, M. Mitchell, K. Thomas, Maud Mitchell, Maggie Cahill, F. Hayes, K. Burnie, and Mr. D. Cahill The performers were all letternerfect, and displayed considerable histrionic ability. A farce, entitled ' Pranks,' followed in the second part of the programme, and created considerable amusement, the characters being impersonated *by Misses M. and S. Cahill, M. Mitchell, S. and A. McNulty, K. an<d F. Thomas, D. McNulty, and Mr. D. Cahill, all of whom acted admirably. The chorus, ' The 'gwd-nigjht of the joyous reapers,' by the pupils was splendidly rendered, and brought the most successful concert held here to a closfe. At the interval the door prize, consisting of a superbly painted firescreen, was drawn for, Mrs. J. Tizard proving the fortunate winner. Rev. Father Hunt in an appropriate speech thanked the Sisters of the convent, the pupils, and all who had so generously assisted in making the concert such a success, the sum of over £31) Ihavinlg) bteen taken. The -accompanists were Khe Misses Jolly, CabiH, and Mitchell, who acquitted themselves in their usually artistic style.