Artistic Recital of Pupils Of Miss Freda Whittaker

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 278, 24 November 1939, Page 2

Artistic Recital of Pupils Of Miss Freda Whittaker

FINE EFFORT FOR WILLARD HOME An audience that filled the Empire Hall to the doors last evening enjoyed to the full the recital by pupils of Miss Freda Whittaker w hen a programme of outstanding merit was presented. Some 60 children of all ages disclosed a nice appreciation of the beauty of words, delightful clarity of diction and real joy in adventuring into the realm of makebelieve. The offering covered a wide variety of items, with monologues, character sketches, excerpts from classical works, dialogues, piayettes and plays, with musical and dancing interludes, added interest being provided by the verse-speaking choir. No effort had been spared in the costuming, which was colourful and charming, particularly in the period plays, which were a feature of the programme. Throughout there was evidence of the skilful and painstaking training tho children are receiving from their teacher, Miss Whittaker, to whom all credit is due for the results achieved.

Off-stage there were many assisting toward the success of the evening, Mr. F. J. Murphy proving a capable stage manager, Mesdames Murphy and Hancock and Miss Eunice Scott lending a hand with wardrobe, Messrs. Mervyn Dymoek, J. Christiansen and G. Whittaker being other helpers. At the conclusion of the programme floral tokens and other tributes were handed in generous measure to the students assembled cn the stage, also to Miss Whittaker, who returned thanks to the audience for their attendance in such large numbers to ensure the successful presentation and augment the funds of Willard Home.

Miss Beryl Whittaker was a tower of strength in providing the musical accompaniments.

The programme was as follows: Playette, “The Two Chairs": Introduction, Margaret Fraser; Cherry Tree, Shirley King; Walnut Tree, Penelope King; Upholstered Chair, Dawn Pullyn; Rocking Chair, Thelma Richardson. Recitation, “Little Old Lady," Beverley Richardson. Scene from Shakespeare, “Midsummer Night's Dream": Titania, Lois Lind; Oberon, Allan Norman; Puck, Gwen Wallis; Fairy, Dulcie Needham; Fairies, Valerie Needham, June Christensen, Margaret Tremain, Doreen Downing, Doris Taylor, Alison Bird, Eileen Hardy, Juno Christie, Valerie Jensen, Lorraine Hancock, Lila Martin, June Palmer. Recitation, “You Always Have to Pay a Little More,*' Ngara Houlbrooke. Character, “The Hero," Cliff Trask. Song and chorus, “An 1842 Marriage": Ins, Nona Kingsbeer; Mother, Patricia Penny, George, Joan Isbister; Maids, Ann Isbister, Shirley King, Joyce Thompson, Peggy Thompson, Eila Turley, Louise Houlden, Jean Hardy, Mary Martin, Thelma Richardson, Jocelyn Clark. Humorous, “ Uncle Podger,'' Loye Vile. Character, * ‘ Dolly Varden," Nancy Chamberlain. Character, “The Minuet," Dulcie Needham. Verse speaking: Mary Martin, Rosalie Gee, Valmae Dalton, Jean Christie, Penelope King, Beverley Richardson, Dawn Pullyn, Jocelyn Clark, Joan Isbister, Eila Turley, Shirley King, Joyce Thompson, Margaret Fraser, Peggy Thompson, Dorothy Justice, Lois Lind, Thelma Richardson, Zoe Rabone, Louise Houlden, Victor Rabone, Allan Norman, Eric Rabone, Phyllis Pool, Cliff Trask, Gwen Wallis, Doris Taylor, Betty Cody, lan Needham, Zeta Whitehead, Audrey Candy, Alison Bird, Nina Clough, Valerie Taylor, Rex Dixon, Hugh Oxenham, Nola Dixon, Loye Vile, Patricia Penny, June Christensen, Lorraine Hancox, Jean Hardy. Monologue, “Bref," Jocelyn Clark.- Duet, “Easter Parade," Joan Isbister and Nona Kingsbeer. Play, “The Dream Lady": King, Audrey Candy; Queen, Valmae Dalton; Princess, Phyllis Poole; Prince, Nina Clough; Princess (Amellotte), Joan Furneaux; Prince (Astorre), Victor Rabone; Dream Lady, Ann Isbister; Nanina, Valerie Taylor; Denise, Betty Cody; Page, Dorothy Justice; Ladies of the Court, Zeta Whitehead, Gwen Wallis, Mary Martin; Fages, Dpn Pullyn, Penelope King. Monologue, “Touchin’ Fings," Lois Lind. Character, “Tabitha T," Zoe Rabone. Dialogue, “Peter Pan and Wendy," Jocelyn Clark and Loye Vile.'' Humorous, ** A. Frightful Story, ’' Louise Houlden. Character song, “An Old Romance," Patricia Penny. Character, “Pierrot," Joan Isbister and Nona Kingsbeer. Character, “Scrooge," John Grey. Play, “Beauty for Sale": Jane, Dulcie Flygcr; Laura, Barbara Smith; Mrs. Royden-Lylc, Nancy Randall; Madame Geraldine, Ngairo Lawrence; Audrey Lome, Pam Haythorne; Mrs. Smithson, Nancy Chamberlain.