Mandeville School Concert

Mataura Ensign, Issue 167, 25 July 1896, Page 2

Mandeville School Concert

♦ The fifth annual concert in aid of the school funds took place in the Public Kail last evening. The hall was profusely and tastefully decorated, especially the stage, which looked really picturesque, a display of Chinese lanterns and artificial work showing to great advantage, and reflecting all sorts of credit on those who undertook the work. As U3ual, there was a good attendance, the hall being comfortably packed. A word of praise is due to Mr and Mrs Overton for the successful training of the pupils, who went through their various parts in excellent style, which shows that no amount of time and patience had been spared on the rehearsals. The programing included several tableaux which were splendidly got up and drew forth great applause, " Mary Queen of Scots" being really magnificently stnged. Mr H. G.' Beecot, chairman of the School Committee, presided, and in a few very appropriate remarks, called on Miss Biggar, who gave the prologue very successfully. This was followed by a chorus " Watching for Pa," by tho children which was nicely sung. Mr Edwards' song " The Arab's Farewell,'' piocured him an encore and in response he gave " Long, Long Ago. The tableau " The Wounded Soldier " was then shown and was greatly admired. Mr Wilson was hardly in his usual form when singing " Playma'.es." He was followed by a recitation " The Trout " by four very small boys, who acted the parts splendidly. Mr J. S. Thomson was encored for his singing of " The Old Brigade." Misses Aiice Mill, A. Wheeler, B. Wilson and J. Ross sang " The Flower Girl " in character with great effect and were loudly applauded. This was followed by " Grandfather," a tableau. Mr Wayte was encored for his rendering of " They AULove Jack." Miss R. Wilson recited " The Dead Doll" very creditably, and had to reappear. Mr Bobertson, who appeared for the first time before a Mandeville audience, had t.i respond to an encore after giving " Anchored." Liter in the evening ho gave"Dr Ridga'sFood" and "Right Before the Missis, too." The tableau " The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe" nas very good. Masters Kingsland, W. Ross, G. Green and M. Reynolds sang " Hearts of Oak," and had to repeat the last verse as an encore. The first item on the second part of the programme was a nigger sketch by Mr Wilson, which caused immense fun, and the performer had to reappear several times. " Mary Queen of Scots" (tabelau) was then 'shown, and evoked great admiration. Ten of the small boys then recited " When we are Men " very nicidy. This was followed by a very pretty tableau " The Women* Parliament." Mr Edwards did not respond to an eucore for his rendering of " Father o' Flynn." The tableau, " Domestic Duties," was very amusing. Mr J. S. Thompson sang " Three Jolly Sailor Boys," and was followed by the action song, " The Musical Instruments," by the school children, who kept gojd time. Mr Wayte was well received for his' reudering of •' The May Pole Song." The tableau " Caller Herrin " was very pretty. Tlie last item on the programme was " Good Night," by the school children, which was well done. Thjre was an abundant supply of choice refreshments, which were handed round at the conclusion of the programme. The concert was undoubtedly the best entertainment ever held in Mandeville, far surpassing any rrevlous attempts, aud tho encomiums, freely given, must have been highly gratifying to Mr and Mrs Overton, to I whom tho great success of the concert was | due. | The children led off the first item of the j dance programme by giving a Swiss dance I in costume, in which eight couples took part. j Messrs Hunter (2) arid Edwards supplied excellent music for the dance, and Messrs I Beecot and Smith acted efficiently as Ms.C.