TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 5, 3 December 1932, Page 12

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. The audience at the Opera House last evening for the annual concert in connection with the Palmerston North /Technical School thoroughly enjoyed the varied programme, and were enthusiastic in their appreciation. Encores were frequent, uie items all appealing to those present. The Teciinical School not only provides the pupils with a thorough education in the various crafts, hut also cultivates the artistic side. Considerable ability I was displayed by the performers, who had evidently had careful and thorough tuition. There were some fine i vocalists, talented dancers and several I young ladies who showed histrionic ability. Those responsible for the programme are to be congratulated on the excellent result obtained.

The girls’ choir provided the opening number, the part song, “Come to the Pair,” and then singing, under the direction of Mr Watters, L.A.8., was in complete unison. As an encore they rendered the ever popular, “Killarney.” In the second part their programme numbers were “May Dew and “Dawn Gentle Flower” and as an encore “Three Merry Travellers.” A dainty little performer was Mias Judy Christian, who contributed a tap dance, and another ciever solo dancer was Miss Patricia Edwards. A guitar duet by two young players, Mr J. Beattie and Miss Margaret Beattie, was an enjoyable item. Miss Billie ltaikes and Master Jack Bailees, two diminutive performers, supplied, one of. the cleverest items of the evening in a character sketch, “Bridget O’Flynn.” In response to sustained applause they gave “Eggs, Toast and Colfee.” The day students were programmed for two items, a Chinese dance and a Spanish dance, and in both they were very graceful. The costumes enhanced the effect-. Miss Jean Scott is well-known as a most accomplished dancer, and in her skipping dance she demonstrated her taient and received an encore. Misses Colleen Kneebone and Joan Bovis were very pleasing in the duet, “To a Miniature,” their voices blending perfectly. A spectacular item, and one that was received with considerable enthusiasm, was “The Match Parade,” by Miss Edna Boon and party in which they appeared in striking costumes and danced pleasingly. Mrs Bigham, who possesses a very fine voice, sang “Queen of May,” tor which she was recalled. Another acceptable vocal number was a duet by Miss Sylvia Morrison and Miss Margaret Walker. Mr W. Watters is always a delight to hear, and his solo, “Ring Down The Curtain,” was rendered in his faultless manner. His encore number was “Blue Bonnets are over the Border.” two short comedies were played by tlie pupils, being produced by Miss Ulu Hancock, and both showed there is histrionic ability above the ordinary among the pupils. The junior elocution students presented “Archibald,” a oneact comedy in which the scene is in the common room of Miss Maudesley’s Academy lor Young Ladies and it was very cleverly done. The characters were :—Diana Stewart, Alary Henderson, Margery Fraser, Julia Sinclair, Jacqueling Lemotlie, Ruth McDonald, Zenobia Brown and Boadicea Brown (all pupils of the academy), Misses Ula Thompson, Margaret Beattie, Joan Bovis, Kathleen Katene, Bertha Ennis, Margaret Smith, Joyce Clevely and Averill Pascoe; Felicite, a French maid, Miss Carol Meads; Archibald Fraser, Miss Violet Smith. The one-act modern comedy by the senior elocution students was “The Bride,” by Gertrude Jennings, telling the story of a delayed wedding dress. The characters were:—Susan, the maid, Miss Winnie Hutchins; Mrs Irving, the bride’s mother, Miss Mary O’Reilly; Judith Irving, Miss Molly Stubbs; Joyce Irving, the bride, Miss Yvonne Daroux; Madame Grace, Miss Colleen Kneebone; -Miss Sparrow, Miss lone Christian. The conductor was Air W. Watters, L.A.8., who carried out his duties in capable manner, and the accompaniments were played by A'liss Dorothy Stevens, Airs L. Raikes and Aliss T. Rodden.

Sweets were disposed of by a number of young ladies and found ready purchasers. The business' arrangements and stage management were under the direction of members of the school staff, and the furnishings, which were very effective, were kindly lent by Hutchins’s Furniture Warehouse.