GLORIANA’S FESTIVAL

Manawatu Times, Volume XLXI, Issue 3480, 14 December 1926, Page 8

GLORIANA’S FESTIVAL

Central School's Extrava-

ganza The annual concert staged by the pupils of Central School has become an event eagerly looked forward to, not only by the pupils themselves, but also by the large number of Palmerston North residents who delight in listening to their home town’s musical talent in embryo. Those who attended last evening’s entertainment will admit that the high standard of musical production set by the Central pupils In their concert of last year has been fully maintained, for the many performers last night displayed a weath of talent in their vocal efforts, both solo and in chorus work, in their excellent Interpretations of the subtle arts of the dance, and in their clever confident acting, that was a revelation of native ability, and of very careful tuition.

Written and produced by the staff of the school, the extravaganza dealt with the Pageant of Peace and presented children of all countries in their national dresses, and with their national songs and dances. Following an overture by the orchestra, the curtain rose on the chorus assembled around a group of tiny tots dressed as flowers, and as yet awaiting the call of the fairies to bring them out of embryonic sleep to life. The chorus’s rendering of “By Valley and Forest,” combined with the riot Oi colour obtained from the multicoloured dresses, gave a charming set off to the entertainment, which was made more delightful still by a dance “Awakening Flowers” in which the drooping blossoms were suddenly Induced to open their petals by the magic touch of two of Queen Glorlana’s fairies. A solo, “Tiptoe, ’ charmingly rendered prior to the dance by Miss Ruby Butler, -who play ed the part of Jean, was an attractive feature of the first scene. The Infants further captured the audience with their excellent rendering of eurythmics, “The Wind Among the Flowers,” following which Queen Gloriana, a part admirably portrayed by Miss Ada Cowlishaw, recited "The Fairy Tailor,” The infants clinched their claim on the audiences’ admiration by a further display of eurytlimics “Changing Time,” and a very pretty scen e was brought to a close by the chorus "Come Follow Me.’ In the second scene the performers had warmed up to their work, and from the opening chorus “The Mountain Maids Invitation,” proceedings went merrily. Another chorus ‘England. Dear England,” in which John Bull (Alvin de Berry) made his debut was most effective, the child-* ren’s marching being especially admirable, and a further martial effect was given by the entrance of the Scotsman Sandy (Keith Harris) and his band of followers, who sang "Bluebells of Scotland,’ 'in fine style. Miss Margaret Walker concluded the Scot’s contribution to the programme with a Highland dance. The representatives of Ireland next appeared, under the leadership of Pat (Lindsay McDonald) and rendered a chorus “Danny Bov,’ 'and an Irish JigWales. led by Taffy (Claude Cater), also proved to be a merry band of entertainers, with their chorus “Land of Our Fathers.” Macnamara's Band, led by John Woolf, quite rivalled their predecessors in lively music, and with the aid of various nondescript types of trumpets, cymbals, and a most able performer on the Icettledrum, soon had the stage dancing to their music, and the audience m roars of laughter. Macnamara himself ■was most entertaining. The übiquitous sailor was. ot course, indispensable, and a group o sallormen led by Ben Backstay (Fred Wallace) gave a rollicking seafaring chanty "Blow the Man Down,” followed by a chorus putting into song version Kipling’s famous poem “Big Steamers,” lA dance “Spring, by several of the fairies was most enchanting. and was followed ny one of the prettiest scenes of the whole entertalnment, a chorus rendered in true Japanese style “Gay Little Geishas. We.” Then folio-wing a further solo and chorus by Ben Backstay and his band, the French entered into the proceedings with Marseillaise.” and the scene was brought to a do Etc with a topical song “The Wail of the Woollaloomas,” rendered by a horde of back men fantastically arrayed In savage attire .who ended their song with a fearsome war cry. The concluding scene opened witn a chorus “Come Unto These Yellow Sands,” followed by a dance “Summer.” The well known tune “Funiculi Funicula” was heard to good advantage from the chorus, after which the Samoans came on to delight, the audience with an excellent performance of the Samoan dance. Two amusing sketches were those of the “Italian Band,’ and a character sketch “Sausage Maehini and Organ Grinder.” by Douglas Crossley and Neil Metcalfe. This latter was really splendid, and the two young actors are to be congratulated on their peiformance. A further beautiful dance “Autumn” was followed by two choruses “Dutch Fair” and “Marching Through Georgia.” both of which were received with loud applause from the audience. The concluding dance “Winter,’ was interpreted with fine appreciation of the' spirit of the them e by the dancers, who also were warmly applauded. The chorus excelled themselves in their rendering of “The Volga Boat Song,”—a beautiful piece, which was sung really well: The “Doctors Three” (Lindsay McDonald, Claude Cater ,and Keith Harris) combined well in a trio,, and their effort was rewarded with spontaneous applause from the audience. Prior to the final chorus, a Grand Spanish Bull Fight, full of humorous incident, was staged the bull being composed of Jack Sutton and Ben Tltshall, the toreador being played by Ridley Elliott, and the picador by Fred Wallace, A most excellent entertainment was

brought to a close by a repetition ot the opening chorus “By Valley and Forest.” The Cast. The cast of characters for the entertainment wer e as follow. —Gloriana (the Fairy Queen of Peace) Ada Cowlishaw; Enid, Kathleen Smith; Joan, Ruby Butler; Jean, Iris Phillips Una, Kathleen Richards; Rose, Margaret Beals; John Bull, Alvin de Berry; Sandy, Keith Harris; Pat, Lindsay McDonald; Taffy, Claude Cater; Macnamara, John Woolf; Hennessey, Alan Fletcher; Herald, Josephine Bristow; Ben Backstay, Fred Wallace: Nito, Frances O’Sullivan: Mimosa, Jean Maitlnd; Averill, Winnie Hutchins; Umbopa. Keith Fletcher; Signor Spaghetti, Rex Cunninghame; Signor Peacholli, Ernest Chin; Signor Squaliini, Evan de Berry; Signor Sausagemachinl, Douglas Crossley; Bingo (a monkey) Neil Metcalfe; Uncle Sam, lan Young; The Bull , Jack Sutton and Ben Titshall; Picador, Fred Wallace; Toreador, Ridley Elliott: Sunshine Fairies, Nola Lawson and Ethne Homingsen; Wind Elves, Jack Pizzey and Wiliiam Cater; Margaret, Margaret Walker. Flower Ballet. Fuchsia, Margaret Walker; Red Rose, Marjorie Isaacs; Primproso, Phyllis Nioholls; Scarlet Poppy. John Brown; Marigold, Ruth Young; Blue Bell, Molly Brownlee.