EXCELLENT CONCERT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 310, 28 November 1936, Page 13

EXCELLENT CONCERT

FUNDS FOR CONVENT GARDEN PARTY. Before an appreciative audience in the Empire Hall, last night, an excellent concert programme, arranged by Aliss Al. Cranston was presented, to aid the funds for the Convent garden party. The stage was gay with flowers, the St. Vincent de Paul Society being in charge of the decorations and also of an ice-cream stall. The opportunity was taken, during the evening, by Very Rev. Alonsignor AlacAlanus to thank Aliss Cranston and the contributors, particularly visitors present from AVanganui. The programme opened with a chorus, “Gentlemen, the King,” splendidly rendered by the Convent School choir. The lady vocalists were Aliss Al. Diedrich, of Palmerston North, and M*« Al. E. Buffer, of AVanganui. Aliss Diedrich is a warm favourite and she gave a delightful interpretation of “II BacI eio” ( Arditi), returning to give “I Hear You Calling Ale.” Mrs Buffer is the possessor of a well-trained contralto voice and her numbers were most acceptable. On her first appearance she sang “Cuckoo Clock.” and as an encore “Five Little Piccaninnies.” Later Airs Buffer gave a most sympathetic rendering of “Ships That Pass.” Clever little elocutionists who contributed were Frank Jenkins and Noeline Pereri, and there were two delightful playettes, “Seeing Things.” in which Alisses Cranston and G. Taylor were associated, also “The Surprise,” Alisses Al. Burke, Al. Alurphy and N. O’Shea taking the parts. Aliss Cranston was the. producer. Aliss .June Scott gave a graceful exhibition of _ a Spanish dance which was enthusiastically recalled, and tap dances by Claude Henderson and Nancy SHngleton were cleverly executed. Dawn Horgan charm-

ed the audience with a skipping dance, and Patricia Kneebone with a lively military dance. Pupils of Miss Jean Muir were responsible for an excellent Irish reel, the dancers being_ Nancy Singleton, Pat Ivneebone, Millie Connell and Molly Hannan, another group comprising Avis Ward. Josie Palmer, Molly Hannan, Melba Niven, Jean Aitken and Nancy Singleton presenting a spirited “Tap Ballet.” Members of the Wanganui Orpheus Choir, which includes members of the Townswomen’s Guild and the Aramoho Women’s Institute, made a welcome appearance and, under the leadership of Mrs Puller, sang several glees, adding greatly to the enjoyment. Their first offering was Brahms’s “Lullaby” and they had to respond to a double encox-e, giving “Dawn” and “The Bells of St. Michael’s Tower.” Later Schubert’s “Cradle Song” and “Farewell” brought further tributes. In addition to playing the major portion of the accompaniments, Miss Z. Leamy gave a brilliant rendering of “Liebestraum,” which made a fitting, finale to a most enjoyable programme. Mrs Ansell was the aecompaniste for the glee singers and Miss E. Thomson for Miss Scott. Mr P. Flood made an efficient stage manager and had the assistance of Mr F. Aisher. At the conclusion of the programme, Mr Flood presented floral tributes to Miss Cranston and Miss Taylor, and called for cheers for Miss Cranston and the Wanganui ptrty.