REEFTON CONVENT ENTERTAINMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 April 1914, Page 8

REEFTON CONVENT ENTERTAINMENT

The annual benefit to the Convent .funds j by the pupils this year took the •form of a Japanese operetta,- "Princess Ju-Ju," and whs-quite the best ever held here of it:, kind, and was much enjoyed by' the j large audience present each evening. The Theatre Roval was well filled on both oc- j casious. The dresses were exceedingly pretty and most artistically arranged. The singing was also 'very good throughout, although Miss E. Scarlett was not at her best as the Prince, as she was suffering from a severe cold, in spite of which her part was most creditably done. Miss M. Scarlett, who took the part of tho "Emperor." the Princess's father, was quite at home in her part which she ably sustained .throughout. "Princess Ju-Ju" was taken by Miss Scantlebury, who certainly did remarkably well in this, . her first appearance, and throughout kept the audience keenly interested ill her little love affair. Her singing was very sweet and expressive, and in her solos. "Happy Youth," "A Little Jap's Heart is Break ing," "Shine, Tender Moonbeam," and "Stay Your Hand," was much admired. The solos "Throe Wandering Minstrels," "Sad. Weri.v, and Worn," and "Farewell," \v<jr°. very expressively rendered by the Prince, and were much applauded. Miss Green took the part of the "High Executioner" to perfection, her dressing and singing well befitting the part. Th« Emperor delighted the audience with Irs singing of "Th e Mighty Hokipokitippitoptop," and "Away, Away," while "Night Lovely N'ght," by the Spirits was a very pretty tableaux and chorus. The part of •The Magician" by Miss Lily Loubere was splendidly sustained, her interview with the Princess in the Cave Scene being one of the best parts, her get-up was also very fine and her part well sustained. Several choruses by the Corrpany we're also very good indeed. A ve'.y pretty umbrella dance was given by the Minstrel Band, and a sweetly pretty 'Spirit Dance' by Miss I). Loubere, -which were both particularly good. The Emperor was attended by "Ching Ch'ng," his adviserMiss Isa Conway— >vho did her part most ably. Misses O'Brion, A. Duffy," W. Scarlett, and K. Walshe made very pretty maids.of honour, while Miss Iris Bishop and Miss "Myrtle Wood made two sweet little pages. There were also Guards, Courtiers, Dragonflies. etc.. while Misses. Dempster and Pettigrew made very pretty Princes. The whole went well, no prompting seeming to be necessary, and was a very pretty and creditable performance Between the acts the schoolboys gave an illustrated song, "Heads and Tails, ' and little Miss Stallard gave a very graceful dance; Misses McMahon and Conway a pianoforte duet, action song "Litle Mcth er," by the tiny girls, and a physical cul tore display by the older girls, \i| being very good j as was also a well-acted scene from "Marie Antoinette." by Miss Lily Loubere as "Queen of France" and Miss C. Duncan as "Dauphin." A very pretty action song "Ptoses Reel and Roses White ' bv a bevy of young girls and a very i v etty Highland Fling by little Miss Bishop and Master Hoy received a most hearty encore. On the second right the (■■•eroHa was most ably repeated and in addition a pianoforte duet by Misses Paukmr.st and Kelly, piano solo by Miss ianks, V.T.C.L., 'solo, Miss Archer "Come, Sing to. Mo," solo, Miss E. Scarlett "Nightingale and Rose" and a duet by Misses M. and E.. Scarlett "Autumn Sea." Ihe accompanists were the Convent OTcheVaa, Mr. Anderson. Misses Farrell. Scarlett, and Banks, etc. The Inangahua Laid rendered an excelent overture both evenings. LitH , Miss Siallard's dance and the Highland 1 ling by Miss Bishop and Master Hoy were repeated on the seco id nir.ht by request, all the items being well ieceived and many encored.