PLAYS AND MUSIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 218, 13 August 1940, Page 10

PLAYS AND MUSIC

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. FINE ENTERTAINMENT. Essaying their first venture into the realm of public performances, pupils of the Palmerston North Boys’ High School who staged a dramatic concert of one-act plays and musical and other | items at tno Little Theatl'e, last even- I ing, left an excellent impression with | an appreciative audience. For some j years the Dramatic Club of the school has hidden its light under the bushel of privacy, but the splendid manner in which the boys acquitted themselves in an extremely wide variety of roles left the hope that last night’s performance would be the forerunner of more such entertainments. For juvenile casts the plays displayed talent of remarkably high quality—there were instances of exceptional ability—and the appearance of the school orchestra, the choir, and a drill squad emphasised the extent to which its motto (“Nihil Boni Sine Lahore”) is applied. Five plays in all were presented, ranging from drama to farce; in every case the boys proved themselves apt and intelligent interpreters of ] the piece, and the not unimportant virtue of being word-perfect paled beside the accomplishment of thoughtful performances. The staging and dressing would havo done credit to a more experienced society, probably being most striking in “Lion of Sparta,” which almost scored first place in the recent drama festival. No small credit is duo to the producer, Mr A. G. A. Baigent, who in certain instances had the valuable assistance of J. Murray and M. Sexton (two of the boys). Miss C. Cairns and assistants were in charge of make-up, Mr J. Harman was as-sistant-stage manager, and Mr S. Bradfield in charge of the lighting, contributing greatiy to the success of the evening. The initial performance was “Birds of a Feather,” a comedy of rural Wales, in which lighting effect played an important part. The players were: Tom Tinker, Russell Jackson; Dickie Bach, John Murray; Jenkins, the keeper, Peter Stichbury; the Bishop of Mid-Wales, Keith Thomson. All were splendid, though tho fine performance of tho last-named was particularly noteworthy. A short faroe followed, “Forget-Me-Nots” played by: Father, Lindsay Smith; Robert, William Pringle; Tom, lan Cameron; Mary, Keith Malcolm; Albert, Craig Mills. Lindsay Smith took tho most of his opportunities for a sparkling performance, though all played well. In “The Death Trap” a fine dramatic performance was achieved by Brian Shirley as the Prince of Kadaria on the eve of death; he displayed splendid pausation arid appreciation of his role. Good work was also seen from Beresford Pegden (Dr. Stronetz), Angus MacMillan (Col. Gurnitza), Douglas Hope (Major Von tied), and Arthur Andrew (Capt. Shultz). The lighter side of war was portrayed in “In tho Cellar,” a satirical little play exceedingly well handled, especially by the female impersonators. The cast was: Lord Kidderminster, John- Murray (excellent as tho discomfited Peeid ; Pilot-Officer Hugh Ashford, Bruce Davidson; Albert, Russell Jackson (who scored many laughs); Lady Kidderminster, Tony Haszard; Stella, Peter Spear; Florrie, James Loclcyer. Set in a Spartan camp in the Pass of Thermopylae, “Lion; of Sparta” proved a stiff test that was passed with flying colours. Uniformly fine performances were given by: Leonidas, King of Sparta, Keith Thomson; Demophilu6, Captain of Thespians, Bruce Davidson; Anaxander, Captain of Thebans, Arthur Andrew; Callisthenes, a Corinthian, Beresford Pegden; AJphaeus, a Spartan, Peter Stichbury; Peleas and Scapas, Fegeans, Russell Jackson and Maurice Sexton ; Lichas, a Thespian, John Murray; An.ytus, Jeffrey Cozens; Fhyestes, Kenneth Perrin; Sinon, Auburn Vaughan; Cecrops, George Seator; A Persian Spy, John Penketli; A Shepherd, John Mummery ; Spartans, William Pringle and Douglas Hope. The choir, under the direction of Mr J. Holmes Runnicles, won hearty applause with its rendition of “Merne England,” I‘Robin Hood’s Wedding.” and “There’ll Always be ail England” (with the New Zealand verse also sung). No little part of the enjoyment was attributable to the school orchestra, under the leadership of L. Pownall. Popular airs, waltzes and other incidental music were handled splendidly, to tho credit of the following players- Guitar. D. Colpman ; violins,-M. Adler, Z. Bartlett, G. Abraham, F. Turner, C. Boock; drums, J. Penketh; first cornet, R. Faulkner; second cornet, J. Kelly. A neatly-attired drill squad completed a good display with an excellent pyramid tableau. Half the proceeds from the performance are being devoted to the Patriotic Fund and half to tire school library and Dramatic Club.