ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8257, 23 December 1911, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HAMPSTEAD SCHOOL CONCERT.

The concert given at the Theatre Royal last evening m aid of the Hampstead School Prize Fund was. largely attended. The programme opened with a selection by the Municipal Brass Band, under the baton of Mr C. Gass. In the humorous quartette, "Pro Phundo Basso" (Barry), by Miss Claridge, Mrs Chapman/Mr Gass and Mr Chapman, all those who took part showed to good advantage, and * the quartette, which called for special qualifications, was handled with such a large measure of success that an encore was insisted upon. On re-appearing they sang " The Torpedo and the Whale." "A Complaint" ("Keeping Baby Warm", and "No Joke to be a Baby"), by a number of little girls m night attitre, and accompanied by suitable gestures and acting, gave keen delight to the audience. Mr Gardner was liberally applauded for his song, "The" Bonnie Lass o' Ballochmyle," a tribute which his popular tenor voice never fails to command. Mr Claridge was warmly welcomed when he appeared with his violin to play "Berceuse" (Barnett), "Le Cygne" (St. Saens), and "Moto Perpetuo" (Bohm). He gave one of his best exhibitions. "The Blacking Brigade," by the Green street Bootblacks, so delighted the audience that the Bootblacks had to go through their performance a Second time. Miss Claridge was at her best last night m singing .'■■" April Morn," and her welltrained voicQ was equal to the demands made by the , difficult music she attempted. Mr Chapman gave two recitations. The first was a "horsey" man's version of "The Arab and His Steed," m which the ethics of the transaction attributed to the Arab were severely censured m a dialect which savoured very strongly of the stable; and the second, given as an encore, was entitled "The Groom's Story," and was not dissimilar to the first. "The Village Blacksmith" was recited by a boy who had,r for one so young, a good j knowledge of elocution, and another boy immediately followed with "The Village Plumber," a humorous parody on the first. " Simple Simon," a humorous quartette by the same performers as appeared m the second item on the programme, was one of the best items given, but an encore was steadfastly resisted. Mr Gardner followed. with Nan old favourite, " Mary of Argyle," after which the Hampstead Coons sang "The Hoo-do," for which they were recalled. "Angels Guard Thee," by Mrs Chapman, gave the keenest pleasure, and for an undeniable encore she sang "A Spring Song" (Leoni). Mr H. A. Humphreys was encored for his cornet solo, " Polka Imperial" (Czibulka), and on his second appearance played " Nov c ver" (Mattei). Of all the items none took so well as "The Singing Lesson," by Mr and Mrs Chapman. The couple had perforce to re-appear and go through the lesson a second time. The quartette, " Sweet and Low," followed by a chorus by the company, brought a very enjoyable concert to a close. During the: interval a' number of prizes won during the year were presented by the Rev. E. Whitehouse as follows : Attendance Certificates. —First-class: Carter Smart, Ralph Stone, Leslie Stone, Tom Strange, Reginald Jeffs, George Johnson, Gordon Ferriman, Uriel Johnson, William Box, Walter Burnaby, Wilfred May son, , Reginald Tilley, Lily Burnaby, Gideon McKenzie, Joshua Sherlock, Priscilla Blair,' Rita Jeffs, l Myrtle' Tait, May Wakeham, Michael Fitzharris, Myrtle Burnaby, Mostyn Thompson, Lon Jeffs, Richard Tait, Nellie Rumsey, and William Brown. Second class : Cyril Hardy, Leslie Keeley, Nettie Tilley, Nathan Little, Alfred Byrom, Hettie Rose, Madge Mayson, Alex. Broker, Olive Smart, Ashton Porter, Ronald McDonald, Joe Crawford, Erie McDonald, W. Strange, Viney Crum, Goldia Buchanan, Emma Hume, Mary McKenzie, Gladys Bramley, Daisy Bramley, Pat Ashb'y, James Crammond, Eric Dorm, and Harvey Porter. Shooting Prizes. —Recruits' Match (prizes given by Mr Chapman) : Cadet George Johnson 1, Cadet N. Milnei; 2. Highest score m .the Biillock Shield match (a silver cup given by Captain Chapman) : Cadet R. Stone. Best score m the handicap match for senior boys (gold medal presented by Mr Moss) : Sergeant R. Bramley. ■ Best score m the last of the Bullock Shield matches (prizes given by Mrs H. J. Chapman): Sergeant A. Cox 1, Cadet P. Ibell 2. '