Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 839, 4 August 1916, Page 14

Social Gossip

Dear Chbistabel 3

MISS Gladys Campbell and her pupils scored a great success on Friday night, when for the first time the pretty dance-play, "Sunset Land," was presented to a "Wellington audience. It is a beautiful play, full of happiness and innocent fun, the kind of "just pretend", story which is dear to children, large and small. It all happens because two little people long to see the land which is approached by the shining, fairy path across the sea. Dame Fortune helps them on their way with kindly advice and a horse-shoe. She also produces a very good friend in the shape of Captain Drake, a merry commander of a fairy boat, whose crew is composed of white mice, and whose doctor is a hopelessly bored man. All goes merrily until the little boy, jealous of the admiration which is poured upon his sister, throws the horse-shoe overhoard in -a childish fit of temper.

Fearful things then happen. The thunder roars, the sky grows . dark, lightning flashes, the Storm Fiend appears, the ship sinks, and the little people find themselves in Neptune's Cave below the sea. A beautiful mermaid is there, whose name is Sea Foam. She is the daughter of Neptune, and she is loved by i>he Man m the Moon, who has long been the man of her choice. By now the children are growing very homesiok', and they are quite alarmed when they discover that the Moon Man proposes to leave Freda behind while he disappears with Sea- Foam. Dame Fortune ever favours the adventurous and brave, and mercifully she takes very special care of children. She appears at this critical moment and reminds the Moon Mon of his duty. What would happen to the world if the Moon failed to wake up the Sun in the morning ?

But the heart of Dame Fortune is very human. She transforms the beauteous mermaid into a creature more mobile and cuddlesome, and the two set

out for the moon in just the same rapturous state as that in which mortals are in when they set out for another kind of moon. These two are not selfish in their happiness. They take the two children with them as far as Sunset Land, and there, kind Fortune brings back pleasant memories, and shows how the seasons pass and where the rainbow gets its colours. Before taking them back to the land of mortals, Dame Fortune most charmingly advises the children to do the duty which lies close at hand, and not to seek happiness in things out of reach.

The music was chosen by Miss Campbell, and it showed a very pretty taste. Mr. and Mis. Frank Johnstone and Mr. Haydn Beck most admirably carried out all her ideas. The scenery was suitable and artistic, and was painted for this very occasion. The lighting" on which so much depends, was quite excellent, and the whole entertainment was as unqualified success from start to finish. On both nights the Opera House was packed. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool and a party from Government House were present on the first evening. Sweets and flowers were sold durins the intervals, and the proceeds go to the Red Cross, for which the entertainment was organised.

Miss Campbell lias earned* the congratulations which have been poured upon her from all directions. Restraint and finish are the leading characteristics of all performances in which her pupils take part. The secret of her success probably lies in preparation. Her energy is remarkable, and she spares no effort in the training of her pupils, whose dancing in the ballets is charmingly graceful, and whose solo dances must be perfect before they are allowed to be performed in public. * * * ■ • Comparisons are not desirable,, but it is impossible to avoid mentioning the two - advanced and experienced pupils, Miss Frances Muter and Miss Nesta Carwell Cooke, whose talent is not ordinary, and who should never be rivals, for the dissimilarity of their temperaments makes each shine in a role peculiarly her own. Miss Muter's Dance Estatique was all that the harshest critic could desire. Her exquisite grace showed to great advantage in a beautiful ballet where maidens played with balls, and in the Pirouette she Avas also charming. Miss Nesta Carwell Cooke, as the Storm Fiend, was terrible in her fire and wrath. She appeared in the flashes of the lightning, while the thunder rolled in the heavens, and while the little ship was sinking to its doom. As

a Spirit of the Dawn, she danced again with grace and charm, and in the Sailor's Hornpipe she showed afresh the grace of her movements.

The parts of the little human children in the play were taken by Hazel Hardwicke and Here Beckway, who were proclaimed on the programme to be elocution pupils of Miss Bettie Purdom. Little Hazel is well known to the public of Wellington, and her fame as a dancer has spread abroad. She played her part very prettily, and both children sang their songs without strain or effort.

In the part of .Pame Fortune, Miss Isobel Wilford appeared very natural. She dispensed her favours with a kindly grace and a serious smile which Avas very sweet. Her dancing is very graceful, and her voice was heard at its best in songs most suitable, for the character she impersonated. Miss Marie Fix was; inimitable as the very tired ship's doctor, and altogether lovable as the Man in the Moon. 'She was in excellent voice, and her songs were very much appreciated. Miss Marjorie Nicholls produced a capital nautical air in her character of Captain Drake. A small child is reported to have whispered : "Is he real?" and the tone showed that an affirmative answer " was expected. As Neptune, Miss Nicholls appeared again, and her acting was very good indeed.

A dear little creature, whose ragged, white, _ artistic frock was as short as the tiny pipe dance she performed alone, wat; greeted with tumultuous applause, but Miss Campbell most wisely permitted no enoores. The ballet which gave, most pleasuie tv the audience was that of the Nursery Rhymes. Children, in the .dear old costumes which are familiar to us all, and. which are seen in any good, old-fashioned nursery book, danced and played to the music of the good old tunes. The scene was remindful of a children's fancy dress party, and the merriment of the tiny .performers was quite infectious. The Blind Mice were

there, and the Farmer's Wife, and Bo Peep and Georgie Porgie, and many more besides. It was the happiest of happy parties and the most charming of scenes.

All the. dressing wa& most, artistic. The dancers on the sea-shore wore realistic seaweed frocks with good effect. The ballets of Coral and Seaweed were particularly charming. When the Sunbeams and the Moonbeams danced together, the effect was charming. The golden colours of the sunlight, with the deeper tones which come in the moonlight moved in a dance which passed like a dream. The Seasons wore their robes of green and blue, and hoary Winter came put at last in a gleam of shining white. The audience carried pleasant memories away, and are glad for Miss Campbell's sake, as well as for the sake of the Red Cross that the entertainment was so successful. Miss Dall helped to train the choruses. : * ■ * #.-.*■ Lieut. George Miller, 2nd Brigade, Australian Field Artillery, has been wounded in France. He is son of Mr. and Mrs- Miller, late of Kelburn Parade,. Wellington, and was a pupil of Terrace School and Wellington College.

Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Studholme (Ruanui) leave Wellington for Fiji via Auckland this Friday:' They will be absent about a. month, and while they are away Mrs. Hosking'i who returned from the south this week, is staying at the Grange with the children of the Countess of Glasgow.

"Humanitv Fair" was in full swing .t the Town. Hall last week, when a ijeat effort was made by v the children >f the Wellington Education district on behalf of children of Belgium. The.Fair was opened by His Excellency the .Governor, who was accompanied by Lady Liverpool. The hall was quite,full of children at the opening hour, and so great was the noise that some of the speeches were more visible than audible. The Hon. Charles JJohnston, Consul for- Belgium, was absent nn account of illness, but he sent a message of gratitude to the children who had worked so hard on behalf of the little Belgians. The schools were all given two days' holiday, and the children made thet»most of their opportunity. \ .

It was a. produce fair, and generous contributions, had been sent from all parts of the "Wellington district. From the Kallerv. the floor of the hall looked like the piotures of a market. Round the poultry and meat stall there was a huge crowd. Turkeys, which happen about once a year in the ordinary home, were there in plenty. There, were, geese and ducks and fowls, hanis. and sucking pigs, mutton and -lanib an.d bacon, hares and rabbits. The amiable people who sold these tempting things, enjoyed themselves ' ' thoroughly-—on seemed to .do so.. Country people ha d sent in everything they possibly could, and it was very evident that we live in a land of plenty. Eggs by the thousand were there, and there was fodder for hundreds of horses. Sacks of oats and chaff were pilSd high in the centre of the hall, completely separating the people on one side from those on the other, and giving out that delicious scent so remindful of days when we rampaged in barns and woolsheds. Home-made .sweets, jams, , pickles, •'ices, cakes, etc., were eagerly bought. ■i flowers went in no time, and it ,/as almost impossible to get into the sea place. There were ferns and pot plants and needlework and goodness knows what also. The whole,affair was a tremendous success, and was the means of raising over £1200 for the Belgian children, whose poor little Hearts would eheered if they knew how lovingly the children of the Empire are thinking of them during these awful months of war. » « » * The engagement is just announced of Miss Una Geddis, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Geddis to Mr. Gurdon Samuel, onlv son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Samuel, Wellington. * * * - * Another engagement just announced is that of Miss Jessie Russell, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Russell to Major Harland Dean, son of Mrs. and the late Mr. E. H. Dean, of the former legal firm of Brown and Dean, "Wellington. Major Dean commenced his military career prior to the war by receiving a commission in one of H.M.'s regiments in India, and he is now serving with his regiment somewhere in Franco. * * * m Over in Australia are contemplating legislation enabling women to enter Parliament. Presumably, New Zealand will want to follow suit, so the Minister for Public Works will be a wise man if he provides accommodation for possible women in the new Chamber, which is being built. * <*:*-» Miss Winnie E. Feriton has been appointed Assistant-Demonstrator of Natural Philosophy at Victoria College. Miss Fenton is an old pupil of Wellington Girls' College, and is believed to be the youngest demonstrator South of the Line. You could easily tell that something really interesting was booked for Mon-

day afternoon, for the rain fell" in tor-r rents, and this it always does when there is a very good . reason why it should not.' If woman is"contrairy," the weather is more cussed. . However, .the Patriotic Band did its little, best for the brave souls who ven-. tured forth, and the trams carried the people to the door, and. so there~"was a' wonderfully good attendance at thei opening dr*the new premises of the Returned Soldiers'. Club in Lambton-quay. On fine days there is an excellent view from the windows —a view of the Quay and up the cross street which is just opposite. On Monday, people had little interest in the view. But that afterno_on there was. no need to seek diversion out of doors. Inside the bright new premises all was life and warmth. The band provided excellent music. The. airy rooms were beautifully decorated with flags, and were very sweet with wattle

- Thr> Governor and Lady Liverpool were present, as were many public men ■and their- wives," also all the Tin Hats of the district, members of -. the Citizens' Committee, which is working in the interests of the club,, members of the Committee of the Soldiers' Cluib and of the Soldiers' Hostel,' and last, but not least, many returned soldiers, in, uniform and in mufti, with the. red badge, which tells its own tale, : and , which.makes many women desire]to bow as they pass the men -. who wear it. There, were speeches, of course, includ- . ing one by the Governor, who was re-" ceived, on behalf of the soldiers, by ~ Captain Simson, who made another : speech. In his speech the Governor said he was glad the soldiers had .the club, and he spoke of the hospitality which our men are receiving in the Mother Country. He .also spoke of the problems which' the future has in store, and. concluded by reminding the soldiers that in Brigadier-General Robin they have a real friend.

.The Defence Minister was present, and he spoke briefly and suitably, reminding citizens that they should help to keep the club going, by giving; advice and subscriptions. Sir Robert Stout also spoke words of wisdom in that kind way which is his very own. The Mayor spoke appreciatively of the enthusiasm of Captain Simson, the founder of the club. Finally, Mr. Ernest Bell, a member of the Citizens' Committee, reminded" those present that subscriptions are required.

It seems that Mr. Gilmer has offered to give Tip his share of the rent of the premises for the next three years, and that, thanks to the generosity of the public and of many "* individuals, the alterations have been done at little cost —£50 will cover the lot, I hear—but that money is required for the upkeep of the club.

On Monday evening the soldiers were again "At Home." Music and dancing were the order of the evening. Among the chaperones was Lady Ward

• « * Miss Campbell's pupils gave her a' beautiful little gold watch as a souvenir of.last week's performance in the Grand Opera House in token of their appreciation of her hard work on their account. "Wellington continues to talk about "Sunset Xiiind," and. there are many who would like . to see it performed again. ,- Every performer deserves special mention, but space forbids. People were much taken with the singing of .little Nancy Hunt, one of the Water Babies. The little song, "Just We Two and the Moon," is quite difficult and very patchy, but this little seven-year-old child sang it charmingly. ..The expenses in connection with so large an undertaking must have been very heavy. However, it is expected that Miss Campbell will be able to give £100, more or less, to the Red Cross for which the whole affair was organised.

On Wednesday afternoon, at St. Mark's. Mr. P. P. Morgan, a man of Anzac, was married to Miss Ivy Jones, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Jones, Terrace Gardens, Wellington. The bridegroom is a son of Mrs. Morgan, S. Kensinton, London. The service was choral. The Bride wore the orthodox wedding dress. Her train was lined with pink. The bridegroom's gift to her was an Anzac brooch. The best man, Lieutenant Parkes and the two

groomsmen, Sergeant-Major Anderson and Mr. G. Jones, were in khaki. Miss Rita McGee and her brother Cecil were the train-bearers. The boy wag in a khaki uniform, and the little girl wore a shbrt-waisfced satin frock and a mob cap. There:were three bridesmaids, the Misses Dorothy and Marjory Jones and Miss Jessie ißuchan; ; '.' Mabel.