PATEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 December 1924, Page 2

PATEA.

(From Oiir Own Correspondent). The dance display anti vaudeville in aid of tlie funds df the local sports ground§' by Mrs fCdser-Varnham and ner pupils, drew an audience tliat taxed the seating accommodation of the Town Hall to. the utmost limit. The performance was very bright and excellently staged, and equals anything that lias been staged in Patea. The orchestra of six players was under the direction of Mrs it. A. Graham, of Hawera, and contributed in no small measure to the enjoyment of the evening. The overture, ‘.‘High Jinks/’ was well played, and made a splendid opening Tor the rest of the programme. The opening number, “Introduction,’’ by the company, was very well received. . The ‘•Hornpipe/’ by Miss .Ivy Tupito, was well. executed, the little dancer receiving rounds of applause and a recall. The humorous recitation by Miss Mavis Burrows, of Stratford, was loudly applauded, and the audience was somewhat disappointed at not receiving the encore asked for. The next item, “Baby Parade,” was a well-thought-out item, and was equally well carried out by the little performers—(a) “Mack Seimett Girl,” Bunfcy Lamb; (b) “Little Miss Vanity,” Verona Hunger; (c) “The Doll,” Irene Fairweather; (d) “Youth,” Hinemoa Fairweather, and (e) “Baby of the Company,” June Fairweather. Each of the little performers was dressed to suit the character taken and carried out' their allotted parts very well. It is really marvellous how these little dots remembered and acted their parts so. thoroughly. An encore was insisted on. The next item was a song and dance, “You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down,” by Miss Olive Williams, which was one of the 1 best items of-the evening, the little performer’s singing being very much admired, and her dancing was almost perfect. This was followed by (a) song “Tartan Plaid,” by Miss Irene Leatham, and (b) a Scotch reel by the Misses B. Petersen, M. ‘ Mercer, W. McKenna and M. Boyle, was a really good item, and fairly brought down the house. A recall was granted. The item “Ten Minutes with an Illusionist,” by Mr Bob Roberts, was greatly enjoyed. The duet “LoVers’ Quarrel,” by Mrs Edser-Vamham and Mr A. Ejdser was a splendid number, and brought forth rolmds of applause, and as an encore ‘‘Collaboratidri” wris given. This was followed by the dance “Tip Toe/’ by Miss M. Mercer, and was well received. The next iteiii, danse duo, “Fox Trot,” by J. and M. Fair weather,, two little, tots of six find four years respectively, was the best’ of a splendid programme. The little performers, dressed in latest style of evening dress, executed the dance to perfection, and their teaching reflects the greatest credit on Mi’s Edsei-Varnhaih. The large audience could not be quietened with the mere bow, arid the little mites had to. repeat a portion of the dance. Then tallowed the Hawaiian scene, (a) ballet, I. Leatham, M. Boyle, F. Barnes, W. McKenna, M ; Mercer, B. Petersen; (b) song arid dance, ‘ ‘Sleepy Hawaii/ ’ with Miss S. Gunn as the “Idol Dancer,” and this was splendidly executed. The next item was a soiig by. Miss Ivy Tayler, and was very good, the singer’s rich and true voice being ; heard to great advantage. The fustic picture ‘‘Our Farm,” by the company, was ; a good Pdm her, the principal characters being: “Milkmaids,”' I. Leatham, M. Mercer, M. Boyle, and F. Barnes;. “Their •Sweethearts/’ S. .Grinn!) N. McKenna, G. Barries arid B: Petersen; “Jack rind Jill,”. Olive Williaitis arid joari Harley. The second part of the programme opened - with “Annabelle,” by the orchestra,. arid the 1 piece was well executed. The Japanese.playlet “Princess Ju, Ju’s Birthday,” by the company, was a really splendid item, the stage setting being greatly admired, and the acting would have done credit to professionals. -A very welcome addition was the number of musical items making a very pleasant’ break. The part of Princess Ju Jii was faithfully portrayed by Mrs Edser-TTariL ham, whose acting whs a revelation. Mr Jack Clark, took the fjarfc of the Emperor in really first-class style. Then followed the humorous song “I do like a » Egg for My Tea,” by Mr A. Edser, who, judging by the rousing reception accorded him by the large audience, hah lost none of fiis popularity with trie play-going public. Mr Edser, as is usual with this gentleman,/ gave a splendid rendition, and was compelled to grant an encore. The Quaker dance and sprig “Thee Loves Me/’ by little Joan Harley, was nicely rendered. The next number was “Pictpres of the Past and Preserit”—(a) “Past,” Moyra Boyle, (b) Freda Barnes. This whs a good item, the pbrformers being dressed according to the periods they represented, arid danced the various dances side by side, as of long ago arid of to-day. It made a very telling and interesting picture. The character story dance “The Spider arid the Fly” was a good item, the parts being “filled bv (a) “The Nib,” Misses M. Boyle, M. Mercer arid R. Leatham; (b) “Spider ” Mrs Edser-Varriham, and (c) “The Fly,” Miss B. Petersen. This item was easily one of the best of tlie everting, The acting was perfect, arid the manner in which the “web” was woven around the “Fly” was riiost realistic*, then followed the dance duo “Frivolity and Harlequin,” by Misses M. Mercer and S. Gunn, and these young fadies had to' respond to an encore. Ihe next item “Classical Studies,” (a) Sorrow,” (b) “Joy,” by Miss B. Jretersen, was a really good number, this dainty little dancer executing the various movements in faultless style. Iho programme was brought to a conclusion with the scene “The Church Round the Corner,” the several performers carrying out their parts in first-rate style. .ri-t the conclusion of the programme Ins Worship -the Mayor (Mr Firilayson), ori behalf of the Sports Ground Commii^i’ thanked Mrs Edser-Vamham arid all those who had assisted her* for trie very splendid effort on behalf of tne funds of the committee. His Uorship then presented Mrs EdserVarniiam and Mrs R. A. Graham (who was in charge of the musical portion ot the programme) with a handsome bouquet each, the audience rising and singing “For They are Jolly Good Fellows ” Thus was brought to a close another fine evening’s afiiuseirient, and it? ,Kd se r -P ar ri ham ’ s latest effort on - behalf of the town was equal to the best of this nature ever placed before a Patea audience. Too much praise cannot be given this young lady for the manner in which she. had trained lier pupils, which must have entailed hours of labour and thought. However, . her reward is “Perfection.”