CREDITABLE CONCERT

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 1

CREDITABLE CONCERT

GAVERSHAM SCHOOL CHOIR'S FINE EFFORT _ By no moans an unknown insiitu. tion, ; the_ Caversham School Choir added to its reputation with, its excel-\ lent concert in His Majesty’s Theatre ’ last evening. Whoever was responsible for _ the training of the youthful j choristers—and tho new conductor, Mri 11. Johnston, must have had the larg- i; est share—had every reason to feel i prouder than ever after an annual entertainment, for this year the performers acquitted themselves with such a degree of credit as to make it difficult to imagine where improvements could be made for future efforts. If the choir keeps on making tile progress it has made this year under Mr Johnston tho public should look forward to the Ca>--ersham concert more than ever, and even if forthcoming performances were not to improve upon this year’s work they would have much to recommend them. Every choral item gave .evi- , dence of careful training, and everyone ‘ concerned must have felt that what' hard work there was attached to pre- J porations was well worth it when, at ■ the conclusion of each contribution, tite audience burst into rousing applause.And the fine reception was rightly deserved. Wlfercas in past years the concert has been without any special items, last night’s programme included some beautitul specialty acts and scenas, as well as a half-hour humorous play.

_ Two delightful part songs— ‘ Moon-. light,’ and the ever-pleasing ‘ Sweet v and Low ’ —opened the programme, the choir singing sweetly and intelligently. Following tins, ‘ Here Comes the Sim ’ was introduced in a spectacular setting, the singing of Annie Stevenson and the choir synchronising with the action of Joyce Todd (solo dancer, who was the sun goddess) and a; dainty ballet.The choir was then heard in a bracket of two folk_ songs—‘Driving Away at the Smoothing Iron ’ and ‘ Oh, Dear, What Can the Matter Be?’ which were accorded' hearty applause. ‘Jingle Bells ’ was a pretty little act, the choir accompanying the action of a mountain sleigh, in which were seated two tiny tots, and which was drawn by a team of boys—all wearing winter attire. Dick Powley showed that lie has a pleasant, clear voice in ‘ To a Minia- ‘ Jure,’ which he sang while half a dozen couples danced a minuet. In nice variation were the sea chanties—-‘Sally Brown ’ and ‘Johnny Come Down to Hilo ’-r-hy the choir, which also rendered ‘ Robin Hood ’ with plenty of effect. Mr L. Hubbard (physical instructor) had his twenty-one boys well trained for their display of physical exercises and gymnastic evolutions, which, was favoured to such an extant that the performers were encored. Alter Ho interval, there was -yi colourful scena, entitled ‘Swing Song,’ in which three, small girls performed on swings,-keep-1 ing time to the singing of the choir.‘Four Jolly Smiths’ was another favourite, a quartet of “smithies” beating the anvil to the chorus sung by the choir, which was again heard to ad van-, tage in ‘Sweet Spring is Returning,’■ ‘ Angelas ’ (from ‘Maritana ’), and ‘Gipsy Chorus’ (from ‘Preciosa ’). ‘ Matrimonee ’ was the title of a muchappreciated play presented ; by a capable band of fourteen young-, stars, who succeeded in raising many hearty laughs with their well-spoken lines and naturally-funny acting. Another welcome interlude was the ‘Negr,o Nonentities,’ which was a combination of negro melodies and some ■ local hits, arranged by Mr T. Wilson j and the staff. For a concluding per- ■ formanco Mr Johnston could scarcely) have chosen anything more impressive: than the two, Maori songs—‘Hine E Hine ’ and ‘ Pokarekare ’ —which the conductor arranged specially for the choir. The members gave of their very j best, thus rounding off an excellent pro-] gramme with Native singing that evidently delighted everyone, judging by the loud and prolonged applause that accompanied the fall of the curtain. Credit is also due to Miss D. Duncan (pianist), Mr W. G % Burns (director) , and Messrs T. Wilson, and L.Hubbard («tage managers).