SALVATION ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 93, 21 April 1931, Page 4

SALVATION ARMY

YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERT

ENTERTAINING PROGRAMME

The flue results of several weeks of practice by the boys and girls in the various divisions'of the Salvation Army. were shown last night when a young people's demonstration was held in the Town Hall. ■■ The hall was practically full, and the big audience displayed a lively appreciation' of the whole performance. At the opening of the entertainment. Commissioner Cunningham gave a brief address. "Wo arc all ready to encourage the young people in their work and help them to develop it, 3' ho said. "I'am'hopeful th*t in the years to eomo these young people will take the place of us older ones and so help to push ahead the work of the Army in. Now Zealand." •■..',. ■ ' ,\ Kich in song, tableaux, and dialogue, t.he ..programme throughout was eminently satisfactory. The young people's work was graded to meet the abilities of the beginners, primary, junior, intermediate, and" senior scholars. An outstanding feature of the performance was the confldeneo displayed by: the performers. . Even tho- tiniest of tots- —some of them no more than four.or five years.of age—said their linos and. did. their- actions like, old hands. ; Barely ( did they make a mistake. Tho audience was very appreciative and demonstrated ite enthusiasm with fervour. . '■' . The vocal section of the entertainment was full of strength. The united songs, at the opening of the programme, were excellently sung by over 400 children, and a feature of the demonstration was tho costuming, and the tasteful decoration of the scenes and tableaux. The first item on the programme was "The Badge in Action," presented by the life-saving guards under the regimental leader, Captain H. Allison. This scene' depicted the guarding of the soul, the guarding of the mind, the guarding of the body, and tho guarding of others. One of the most charming items was the singing of Baby Bunting" by twenty of tho youngest girls from the girls' home. "The Salvation Mill," -presented by the Kilbirnie young'people under Captain Tyler, demonstrated the transformations wrought by God in the lives of-tiro .'young and the old. It depicted the sceptic who was forced to. agree that Salvation was the best thing in tho world. The acting in this itefn. w;is excellent. Tho ever-charming Biblical story "Buth" was presented in. tableau form by the I'etoue young people. The scene ol! the next item was set in an old church. To the strains of tho organ the choir entered, and after a recitation sang "Nearer My God to Tliee." A duct, "Load, Kindly Light," sung by Jean and Betty Kirk, was followed by tho hymn "Abide With Me." The soloist in this item was Miss IJyclyi]--. Bennett, who has a rich soprapQ'voice." A. very popular item was "How to' .Keep Young," demonstrated by '.the ..Upper Hntt girls rind the. Miramar young men, the latter under the leadership of Ensign Sansom. -The -performers-gave an excellent display of physical culture and gymnastic pyramids. The. performances of the girls in this suction are worthy of the highest praise and roflect great credit on their leader, Ser-geant-Major Beavis. One young girl, Miss Jessie Jowett, was almost-uncanny in her gymnastic .actions. The most effective item on the whole programme was "Tho King who Forgot God>" by the senior young, people under th 9 leadership of Sister Mrs. E. Gray. This tableau comprised five' scenes,' all, "of which were beautifully presented. Very careful thought had been given to the costuming and stage effects, and the performances of the young people themselves were well in keeping with the Biblical setting. Other items included "Witches" by the girls from the girls' home, Wellington, "The Maori Canoe Song," by tho Wellinglon South young people, "The Ball Drill," by the..Wellington city primary, and "Abou' Ben Adhein," by the Jslnu'cl Buy young people. The warm applause given after every item must have fully rewarded the-per-formers and instructors for the amount of time spent in practice and rehearsals. Tlie united singing was conducted by Knsign S. Jn#ood, and the orchestra by Bandmaster W. Scotncy.