CHRISTMAS STORY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22200, 10 December 1946, Page 4

CHRISTMAS STORY

TABLEAU PORTRAYAL STRIKING PROGRAMME The Story of Christmas, presented in a series of tableaux, was well received by an appreciative audience in the Methodist Church last night. Supported by appropriate Christmas music by the choir and by soloists, the beautiful stories surrounding the birth of Christ were gradually unfolded. The various scenes included the intimation to Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of Our Lord, the revelation to the shepherds in the fields, the pilgrimage of the shepherds and then of the wise men to the manger, and finally the coming of the village folk to worship the infant Jesus. The Eastern setting was- realistically conveyed by well-designed costumes, while the sense of mystery and the imminence of the supernatural were assisted by a careful use of lighting and by the skilful direction of the producer, Miss Romola Bunt. In an organ recital preceding the tableaux. Miss Molly Skillen gave very fine renderings of “Andantino” by Gurbitt. an excerpt from Bach’s "Christmas Oratorio, ‘The Angelus,” by Farjcon, and the overture from Handel’s “Messiah.

A duet by Miss E. Bignell and Mr, J. Sligo, and solo items by Mrs K Harrison, Misses Thelma Hopkins' and Barbara Gunn,, and Mr. Stanley Vincent contributed interest to a most enjoyable programme, which will be presented again this evening.