Dominican Convent Concert.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2644, 4 September 1906, Page 4

Dominican Convent Concert.

The pupils of the Dominican Convent schools gave their annual entertainment in the Garrison Hall last Wednesday evening. As is customary at this fixture, the attendance was large and the audience a most representative one, and, judging by the applause with which the various items were received, a most appreciative one, too. The Queenstown Brass Band played a few airs outside the Hall prior to the commencement of the concert, a proceeding which always seems to lend interest to and create enthusiam in local functions. The first item, and one of the best on the programme it may be said, was i pianoforte duet, " A Russian Fete Dance," played by Misses Pearl and Colleen Evans. It was characterised by crispness and precision and a fine conception of expression which made the perforinace most pleasurable to listen to. A number of the pupils of the schools then sang a pretty chorus entitled "Sweet is the Dream." The parts in this were well sustained and the rendering was a very harmonious one. Miss G. Constable, who made her debut as a vocalist on this occasion, sang Braga's La Serenat.n," her sister, Miss Lettie, playing the violin obligato thereto. The audience showed their estimation of this item in according it a vociferous encore, whereupon Miss Constable reappeared and repeated the latter portion of the Serenata. l hc second pianoforte duct was given <>v Rita McNeil and .Miss N. O'Connell, who acquitted themselves with much credit. Miss Monica Mcßride, who made sucli a good impression on her tirst appeal ance as a .solo singer at. last year's concert, confirmed the good promise given by her voice on that occasion. Iler choice o song was the renowned " Holy City, and she met with such applau-e in this that she had to supplement the number with another, such being entitled " Three Green Bonnets," a dainty little song which was equally well received. Another instrumental duet followed, the young |

ladies coupled in being Misses M. McCarthy and Colleen Evans, who rendered with very good effect " Irish Blossoms." The third of the] vocalists to grace the boards was Miss Donne, who sang with good taste one of the present day short songs named "Dawn," an ex ce'edingly pretty composition and one which is destined to be popular when better known. The last of tho musical items was the well-known piauoforte duet, " Fairy Queen," in their execution of which Misses C. Bonner and P. Evans showed goocj results of their training. This concluded the first portion of the entertainment and the drawingVfor the door prizo was then proceeded with on the stage in the sight of the audience, the ticket which won the prize for its lucky owner being No. 144. It might here be mentioned that the door prize was a handsome diamond-shaped framed mirror, prettily painted. The drama known as " The King of the Alps" was then staged. The dramatis personae of this was as follows King, Pearl Evans ; attendant spirits, M. Lee, M. Connell, E. Constable and M. Luckie ; Mr Rappelkoff, Cecil | Mcßride; his wife, Chris. Bonner ; Bertha (their daughter), Rita McNeil; Godfrey (the latter's fianc6), Charlie Bonner ; lady's maid, Mary McCarthy; serving man, Alex. Bonner ; cook, Julia Duhig ; housemaid, M. Simmonds; Silberken, Tom Richards ; Glow-worm, Ted Kelly. The drama was a lengthy one and must have entailed a tremendous amount of trouble and patience in its preparation, and it reflects the very greatest credit on the Dominican Nuns that their training culminated in such good results. The children were all wonderfully fluent and as the play proceeded it could be seen that the parts had been allotted with a remarkable discrimination, for all the children" carried into full effect what each role demanded. It was a clear demonstration of what it is possible to train children to do. The dresses worn were pretty and dainty, particularly those costumes in which the chief characters were attired,

which were quite elaborate. Portions of the scenery also must have required the expenditure of much labor on them. Altogether the Sisters are to be congratulated on the production. At its close the Rev. Father O'Donnell made eulogistic reference to the class of enttrtainment which had been presented and at the same time took occasion to thank the audience for their attendance. Miss Gudgeon acted very efficiently as' accompanist throughout the evening. The Dominican Nuns wish to thank the members of the Band for their services prior to the commencement of the concert. To Mrs Mcßride of the Harp of Erin Hotel, the children also fdel very grateful for her kindness in providing a light repast for them after the performance.