CHORAL SPEAKING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1937, Page 14

CHORAL SPEAKING

UNUSUAL PRESENTATION. PUPILS OF mss RODGERS. The audience which attended the Empire Hall last night on the occasion of the concert by the pupils of Miss Babette Rodgers was a large and appreciative one. The frocking of the performers was lavish in every item, no effort having been spared to njake the function a successful one, while the manner in which the children acquitted themselves reflected considerable credit on the work of Miss Rodgers. The opening playette, “The King’s Pocket Knife,” was naturally acted, its. arrangement being such as to enable the cast to demonstrate their sound diction in an effective manner. The action revolved, around a simple theme, that of the disappearance of the pocket knife of an absent-minded king. “The Broken Statue,” the second playette staged, also contained a simple plot and was a tribute to the discrimination of Miss Rodgers. The individual items were excellently presented, the children’s gestures and stance being most natural. A sketch from Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” was effectively interpreted by Miss Joan Farrelly. The choral speaking of Christmas carols was most enjoyable. The programme was as follows: “The King’s Pocket Knife”. —' Gnome gardeners, Nine Courev, Joy Flood, Joan Lynch, Frances Lynch, Colleen Reaburn, Margaret Watchorn; captain of soldiers, John Gardner; soldiers, Ross Gardner and John Andrews; king, Ponto Pegden; nage, Paul McLeod; old clothes fairy, Elizabeth Gardner; Brownie Longbeard, James Jamieson; Tippytoes the Pedlar, Diedre Long-Ward; Pixie Brighteyes. Fay Flood; servant, Coralie Blinkhorne. “The Lamps,” Betty Jenkins: “When Grannie Was a Girl,” Prudence Gardner; “Lochinvar,” Alan Wills; “Richard the Lion Heart,” Margaret Baylev; “A List of Friends,” B. Kauney; “Moonlit Apples,” Brianpeter Forrest; “The Little Dog Angel,” Morna Bayley; character sketch from “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Joan Farrelly; “Alexander Beette,” Paul McLeod; “Mrs Thomas Willow,” Fay Flood; “Alice Down the Rabbit Hole,” Joa.n Lynch; “Tippletop Castle” (dance and recitation), Coralie Blinkhorne; “New Zealand,” John Andrews. Playette, “The Broken Statue” : Gipsy captain, Brianpeter Forrest; Gipsies, Joan Farrelly, Pat Kaveriey. Alan Wills; the statue, Margaret Watchorn; little children, Coralie Blinkhorne, Ann Flood, John Andrews, Paul McLeod; night moths, Betty Jenkins,_ Morna Bayley, Margaret Bayley; fairies, blue F.ay Flood, pink Prudence Gardner, yellow Joan Lynch. “Earl Halden’s Daughter,” Frances Lynch; “Five Little Pigs,” Ross Gardner; “If,” James Jamieson; “0 Question of Etiquette!” Joy Flood; “Cratchit’s Christmas Dinner,” Colleen Reaburn; “Bobbie Beetle,” John Gardner; “David Copperfield,” Alan Wills and Paul McLeod; “The Pig’s Tail,” Nine Coury; “Tim,” Ponto Pegden; “The Seasons,” Elizabeth Gardner; “The Throstle,” Margaret and Morna Ba.yley; “Ruth,” Diedre Leng-Ward; “The Playmate,” Margaret Watchorn. Choral speaking: “Green Candles,” candlestick, Betty Jenkins; candle, Elizabeth Gardner; story teller, Joan Lynch; chair, Nine Courey; wall, Frances Lynch; carpet, Fav Flood; door, Joy Flood; room, Colleen Reaburn; “Golden City of St. Mary”; choral speaking choir, Christmas carols.

The presentation of floral tributes to Miss Rodgers and her pupils was made. Miss Rodgers thanking all who had helped the production of the recital.

Miss Rene Penman officiated at the piano, and Miss Muriel Richards acted as prompter for the children.