STUDENTS' RECITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 3

STUDENTS' RECITAL

MISS GARDNERS PUPILS

Aptly billed as a "medley of mime and music," the annual invitation recital was presented by the students of Miss G. Helen Gard'npr to ;i crowded audience in the Concert Chamber of the Wellington Town Hall last evening. The performance was most successful. Evidence of thorough and painstaking tuition was *hown by the students, all of whom filled their parts with distinct credit Co their teachers and themselves.

Discrimination in merit is difficult. But the honours for outstanding performance unquestionably went to Bailee Miller for her charming characterisation of Phoebe in Barries "Quality Street," to Nancy Jiurnley. for her winsome performance as Miss Rose in "Lavender Ladies," and to tiny Melva Doney, whose delightfully oldfashioned presentation of "The LookingCilass Tea Party," produced a sensation of applause in the crowded hall. Several ambitions sketches were presented, among them the two-act children's play "Cabbages and Kings," in which the following students took part: — Pat Booooek, Nola Harper, Lois Wilton, Dorothy Thirkell, Margaret Freeman, ■Marjorie Parker, Roma Topp, Marie Yat.esJones, Bo Eastlier, Doreen Purdie. Marjorie Cragg, Pat Liadet, Jean Saunders, and Melva Doney. The characters in

"Lavender Ladies" ■were filled by Eflie Brice (Miss Ann), Nancy .Burnley (Miss Rose), Paddy Hope Gibbons- (April Clear), Netta Miller (Tabitha), Margaret Vernon (Alice), Edward Topp. In Barries "Quality Street," Ranee Miller as Phoebe, Patricia M'Evedy as Suzan, Margaret Nutter as Patty, and Jean M'Kay as Captain Brown, gave a faithful performance. A difficult Shakespearian extract from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was performed by Effie Brice, Joan Maunder, Kathleen Turnbull, Natalie Williams, Crissie Sloane, Roma Topp, Eunice Scott, Gladys Whittaker, Cedric Gardiner, P. Boocock, P. Liadet, M. Cragg, M. Jones, J. Sounders, M. Doney. In a prologue to "The Sleeping Beauty" there appeared Doreen Purdie, Jean Saundevs, M. Doney, M. Crage, D. Thirkell, L. Wilton, P. Liadet, B. Easther. A charming song and' dance scena, "Pierrette" was performed by Pamela Beauqhamp, Peggy Welch,. and Thelma Bartholomew.

Madgo Freeman sang "Only Tor Thee," and later "Mad Margaret." Joyce Dinnison gave a realistic interpretation of "Juliet," a sketch ''Polling .Day," and also sang "Grandmamma." Dorothy -Norman was heard in "The Bower of-Hoses," and again in "Dance On." ■ Among other items on a full programme were: Dialogue, "The Bride of Fortingal," with Jean Sutherland as Lady M'B.eth, and Freda Whittaker as Fern; dialogue by Irene Wilson and Monica Bell; dialogue, "The Rivals," with Edward Topp as Sir Anthony Absolute, and Noel M'Kay as Jack Absolute; "Migonne, Here is April," and "The Birth of Morn," sung by E. Topp; poem, "The Town Between the Hills" (Maselield), recited by Diana Pethrick; sketch, "Breakfast Table • Conversations," by Gwenn Carr; scena, "The Fairy Tailor." by Eunice Scott and chorus; duet, "The Sisters," by Irene Wilson and Freda Whittaker; "Who Won," by AVinifred M'Kee and the final costume chorus. Mr. Clement Howe presided at the piano.