SUCCESSFUL CONCERT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 221, 16 August 1928, Page 11

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT.

STAGED BY GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Last evening tlio Girls’ High School conducted a most successful concert in tlio Opera House—successful from the viewpoint of the attractive arid varied programme arranged and also because of the large and appreciative audience. Miss Hodges and her staff are 'to bo complimented on the delightful entertainment which they staged with the ever-ready assistance of the Old Girls’ Association and tlio help of Messrs Davidson, Eising and Smith, who rendered pleasing items. With the rise of tlio curtain the assembled school sang in an impressive manner the school song, “Semper Sursum.” The senior girls then left the stage, the junior choir remaining to present three song sceuas —“Buckingham Palace,” “Missing” and “Vespers,” all the words of which are from the delightful pen of A. H. Milne. The next on the list was a, remarkably fine display of marching, drill and pyramids by a squad under the charge of Miss Benstead. The perfect time the pupils kept and the many intricate evolutions they performed were a glowing tribute to the work put in by their instructress. Mr J. W. G. Davidson, perhaps Palmerston North’s foremost amateur elocutionist, followed in selections both grave and gay which called forth warm applause from the auditorium. A military ballet of a typo rather unusual at a school concert was tlio contribution of a well-trained corps of prettily-dressed girls. Miss Naomi Wlhaliley, 'that well-know(ui local artiste, was to have sung, but was unfortunately not ablo to be present, lier place being most obligingly filled by. Miss Molly Thorburn. Perhaps tlio finest portion of the programme was devoted to a scene depicting the trial of Joan of Arc by the Ecclesiastical court, the arranging of which was in the capable hands of Miss Eraser, who, with commendable attention to detail, made this act an exceptional one. One of the smaller points, illustrating tlio completeness of' her arrangements, was tlio Warwick crest, the bear and ragged staff, on the surcoats of the English soldiery. Reference to this scene would' not bo complete without mention' of the fine character study presented by Miss Eileepi Gqodjolin as St. Joan her restraint being excellent and her difficult part was' by. no means over-acted. At the conclusion of the first- lralf a Very amusing “Penguin Parade” was arranged,'the costume effects ' being unique. - : After tlio interval the senior choir Rang a A Hundred Pipers’witli "the dancing of a Highland reel for which ■Piper R. Smith supplied tho'music. ?Their second number was '“The linker’s Song,” a gypsy dance adding to : tho effect. Further elocutionary items were contributed by Mr A. Eising, another local amateur of much ability. That amusing opeact plav “The Boy Comes Home, was staged to perfection by the pupils following which tho ballet were seen, this time in a Parisian dance. Misres C., I. and V. Wood, sisters oftalent, were heard in an instrumental trio handled with taste. Misses J. Edwards and A. Wilkinson did a pastoral dance, while to conclude a varied programme an hilarious sketch, I “Post Haste,” was, presented by five old girls, Misses L. Ferguson D. , Niccol, L. Teale, M. Wilson and B. Young. The accompanistes were Miss Ina Skinner and Miss Leila The old girls conducted a homemade sweet-stall in .the • foyer while hand-painted souvenir programmes were on sale. The proceeds are in aid of the general school funds. .