NEAR HER HEART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 290, 7 December 1937, Page 11

NEAR HER HEART.

WORK OF INVALID.

AIDING CRIPPLED CHILDREN. BRIGHT PANTOMIME STAGED. Behind the first-night success of a bright pantomime-extravaganza presented in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening in aid of the Wilson Home for Crippled Children lies a remarkabl • story of courage in adversity. The producer is an invalid woman who is confined to a wheeled bed.

Miss Jeanne Mannix is the woman, and it is 13 years since she became an invalid. Near to her heart is the cause for which she has worked for three and a half months to produce "Little Red Riding Hood."' from which proceeds wijl be devoted to the provision of invalid chairs nt the Wilson Home. From her own experience she knows, as perhaps few others know, what disability can mean; yet on the other hand she has learnt the secret of as full and rich a life as any man or woman enjoys. It was easy to see this as she happily met a stream of congratulations behind scenes after the show* was over.

Before she was confined to her bed, Miss Mannix had been keenly interested in amateur theatricals, and she had staged numerous productions in country towns. That interest never flagged, but it was only last year that she decided to take an active part once more. Her effort then—also a pantomime— was crowned with success.

Full indeed has been her task in the present production. Besides directing its presentation, she has composed the words of one of the songs, made many of the dresses, costumes and "properties," and attended to the secretarial side of the work. She has supervised weekly rehearsals at the Epsom Infirmary, which is now her home.

Last night Miss Mannix. was flushed with the success of the opening night, and the appreciation expressed by the gratifyingly large audience gave her good reason to lie gratified. The pantomime—perhaps that is too unimaginative a description—gave everyone the enjoyment they had hoped for, and more. Bright costumes, charming ballet and old-world dances, lively modern "tapping," tuneful music, gay laughter, excitement —all were blended into a satisfying whole. Children of all ages, with a sprinkling of adults, took part, and at < times it seemed that the very young were "stealing the show."

Among the children who took part were pupils of Madame A. Stock and the Misses Beresford. The accompanists were Miss Gwen French, Miss Gwenyth" Woodhams and Miss Aileen Beresford. The performance will be repeated to-night.