MANAIA' CONVENT

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 16 December 1920, Page 4

MANAIA' CONVENT

ANNUAL FUNCTION

The break-up performance by the Manaia Convent is always an interesting event. Probably (this when, under the able tutorship of "Sister Michael, the pretty Japanese operetta, "Priaicess Chrysanthemum," was producedj the concert is the best they have ever put on the stage and this opinion was general in the large audience that assembled in the Town Hal! last night. They showed this unmistakably by the generous and emhnHastic applause that greeted the young performei'B. The training (vjas quite evidently most thorough, for the solos and duets were capitally sung and the choruses went with a fine swing, while the dancing, particularly that of Miss Rita McVicar, and the cat and the sprites in the Cave of Darkness was most graceful. The dressing of the young performers, the stage settings, and the general effect of the scenes, were all really 'brilliant and quite spectacular. They reflect the greatest credit on the Sisters and all the willing helpers who assisted in the arrangements. A small but very efficient orchestra, under Mr J. Cosgrove, played the incidental music and the accompaniments in capital style, and assisted in mo small degree towards the success achieved.

The principal part was taken by Miss O'Brien, L.T.C.L., and she sang with excellent taste and expression. Her acting was also most effective. Her eongs were all good, perhaps the best being "Which shall it be," "Home of my childhood," and the introduced "Slave Song."

Mr A. McPhillips was appropriately dignified and stern as the Emperor What-for-whi, and sang well. His best, numbers were "I am the Emperor,'' "Whether you like it or not."

Master Vine, as Saucer Eyes, the Cat, was capitally got up and really acted the part very well. Misses-Langford (2), Howard and McPhillips, as the attendants To-To, YumYum, Du-Du and Tv-Lip, Miss Vine as the Fairy Moonbeam, and the Misses Ryan and McVicar as the two Princes, are to be specially commended for their acting nnd s.'ngvng. All the other parts were well taken, while the full choruses were bright and sparkling. The stage lighting added greatly to the effects produced. ' During tho evening Miss O'Brien

with very good expression "The Sands o' Dee," and Miss It. McVicar played a pvino solo, "Massa's in the Cold Ground," with variations on the original theme. Altogether it was a most successful performance. All connected with its arrangements are to be heartily congratulated on the success achieved.

PRIZE-GIVING

! At the conclusion, Mr. T. McPhillips, chairman of the committee, said he would like to congratulate the teachers and children on the work done in the cantata,, and to announce that by special request the performance,, would be reneated on Thursday evening. He said he felt sure he voiced the sentiments of the audience when he expressed* appreciation of the excellent training given by the teachers. JEe thanked the orchestra under Mr. Cosgrove for their valuable assistance. He said that the report received from the Taranaki Education Board inspectors was excellent, and showed that the work of the school was on the right lines. In a few words to the children the chairman said that they were, he knew, grateful for all that the sisters did for them, and that the good influence would last throughout their lives. Mr. McPhillips asks us to state that in his remarks he most unfortunately overlooked reference to the invaluable assistance given by Mr, Barley, of Hawera, who was responsible for the excellent manner in which the performers' facial get-up was done. It was capitally done, and for this the committee and teachers were most grateful. The list of prizes was then read out by Mr. Daley and they were presented to the children. The .list was as follows : —

Gold medal —Singing, Miss O'Brien, L.T.C.L.

Gold medal —Catechism, Misj| R. McVicar.

Gold medal—Good conduct, Miss Maggie O'Dowd. ' Standard 7-^-General proficiency,. Rita McVicar.

Standard 6^First, Cissy McPhillips; second. Phyllis Calgher. | Standard s—First, Tom O'Connor; ; second, Maggie O'Dowd; diligence, Jack Hansen; general improvement, Frances Joyce. j

Standard 4 —First Mollie Burke; second. Willie Bourke; third, Rosa Uttinger.

Standard 3 —First, Rosa Beeler; see. end, Ursula Giraud; third, Bernard Muggeridge; arithmetic, Kathleen Long. Standard 2—First, Kathleen - Cosgrove; second, Thelma Berry; third, Lily Berry. Standard I—First,1 —First, James Nioolson; second, Kathleen. Coleman; third, Douglas Hayter. . Attendance —Horace Hansen, Reginald Howard.

Music —First. Rita McVicar; second, Maggie O'Dowd.

Good conduct—Tom O'Connor, Elocution—Maurice Burke.

Politeness—Cissy McPhillips. Catechism—Rosa Uttinger (St., 4), Rosa Beeler (St.. 3), Kathleen Burke (St. 2), Kathleen Hickey (St. 1). The singing of the National Anthem by performers and audience concluded the proceedings.