Feilding Agricultural High School

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 289, 7 December 1936, Page 3

Feilding Agricultural High School

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT BY PUPILS

The annual entertainment by the pupils of tho Feilding Agricultural High School was held in the school assembly hall on Saturday night when,

despito tho inclement weather conditions, accommodation was well taxed. The programme was a distinct success and a credit to the performers and those responsible for their training. In addition to numbers by the school choir there was a one-act play, “Tho Poachers,’’ and an operetta, “The Beauty Competition,” both of which wero exceedingly well performed. In these productions tho audience was delighted with tho talent exhibited by tho principals who acquitted themselves with every credit. The operetta provided a charming combination of dancing and singing with tho girls coiourfuily gowned and obviously happy in their work. Madame Angelique’s school of dancing and deportment provided tho background for the simple littlo plot which bubbled so merrily with delightful humour. The maid of all work attached to this school was Sarah Jano Smith, a role very capably performed by Phyllis Goldsmith, and she had entered for the beauty competition. When tho winning namo of Sarah Jane Smith is announced Madame Angeliquo tells her pupils that she is the winner and that Angeliquo is only her trade name. This produces no little surprise which is dissipated when it is revealed that there is a third person of the same name and that neither Madame Angelique nor her maid had been successful. As 'the story develops appropriate songs are interspersed and the climax is reached when Sarah Jane discovers a letter from a rich Australian uncle enclosing £SO for which sum Madame Angelique undertakes to make her maid of all work a real lady. Much of the success of the operetta depended upon Phyllis Goldsmith, whose interpreiation of the role of Sarah Jane was faultless. She did tho part as to the manner born and was really excellent. Alethca .Raynor made a sweet little Madamo Angeliquo and in every respect was equally successful, whilo the chorus, both in singing and dancing, left nothing to be desired. Tho whole operetta was cleverly handled and thoroughly appreciated by a delighted audience.

With the stage transformed to suggest the atmosphero of a wooded retreat, “Tho Poachers” unfolded their simple plot, the principals being K. Pedlar as Tom Tinker, and I. Spelman as Dicky Bach Dawl. Their evening meal over tho poachers welcomed tho dark night as they prepared to visit the river to secure a fat salmon for mine host ot a neighbouring hostel. Proceedings wore interrupted by a visit from the keeper (G. Cuming) who threatens tho poachers with diro consequences if they interfere with any of the gamo on the property of his master but, all innocence, tho poachers deny any criminal intent. Presently along comes a bishop (N. Mitchiuson) who nas lost his way and who partakes of the hospitality oi the men of the lonely road. He departs and the poachers proceed to secure tho salmon. An accident causes the bishop to fall into tho river and he returns to the poachers’ camp just before the poachers hurriedly reappear with the gamekeepers and police hot on their nceJs. Full of sympathy for the lot of the poachers, the bishop comes to the rescue by concealiug the salmon in his bag. Pedlar was thoroughly at homo as Tom Tinker and iilled tne role to perfection, whilo Bpeimaii made good of ■his difficult task. Mitchinson and Cuming wero both effective and tho whole effort w r as quite well handled. The school choir sang a number of songs, while a bracket of Swedish dances went to make up an entertaining programme. Mrs. W. A. Saudilands and Miss M. Armour played the accompaniments.

Tho performance concluded with the singing of the National Authem, after which the performers took tho opportunity of presenting bouquets to members of the stall who had been responsible for tho training and presentation of the entertainment.

Pupils taking part in the dancing, etc., were Misses Z. Bell, B'. Little, E. Short, V. Howard, P. Baker, P. Bell, N. Hendry, B. Pearpoint, S. Pearpoint, B. Moore, N. Saudbrook, J. Sandbrook, B. Rosanoski, 1. Donaldson, P. Robson, P. Symes, J. Sims, N. Patterson, C. O’Neill, P. Robertshaw, V. Mathews, .J. Fawcett, R. Lean, C. Pearson, M. Walton and P. McElroy (all pupils of Madame Angelique’s dancing school); Misses M. Parkcs, C. Mclntyre, »). Ross, G. Bridgeman, M. Gavin, P. Graham and N. Finch (housemaids’ dance); Misses B. Pearpoint, B. Moore, J. Sandbrook, S. Pearpoint, Z. Bell, P. Bell, P. Baker, Z. Bell and B'. Littla (minuet). The staging of tho operettu was in the hands of Mr. C. B. McClure.