OLD ENGLISH FESTIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21049, 7 December 1931, Page 3

OLD ENGLISH FESTIVAL.

The Avon Circle met for the last time this season on Thursday evening in the Penivomcn's rooms. There was a crowded attendance of members and visitors and the programme took the form of "An Old English Festival." The room was decorated with roses and lilies and lit with special coloured lights. Mrs. Helen Griffiths, president, attended as mistress of ceremonies in a powder and patches costume, received the guests and during the evening she was presented by Mrs. McGuire. on behalf of Mrs. Stuart Boyd, with a handsome volume of Shakespeare, and also a beautiful bouquet, a gift from the circle members. Mrs. Griffiths, in a speech of welcome, referred to the "red letter days of Old England" and briefly outlined tho quaint customs of St. Valentine's Day, May Day, Guy Fawko's Day and Christmas Day. Miss Doris Messer recited tho prologuo from Henry V., also Launcelot Gobbo's Speech. She was presented with a handkerchief shower, tho gift of tho circle on the occasion of her approaching marriage. The trial scene from the "Merchant of Venice" was well read by Misses M. Home, Pendergrast, Mortcnsen, Armitage, Medwin, Kirkbride, Roscveare and K. Harper. "The Old Portrait" (with gavotte) was rendered by little Patty McLaughlin and "Peter Pan," a character sketch, was presented by Mavis Addison. Miss Leila Arnntage made a spirited Joan of Arc and Miss Madge Home gave a line rendering of Queen Elizabeth s speech on the death of the Earl of Leicester. A balloon specialty was given by Master James Pendergrast and quaint humour was supplied by Misses Ina and Nance 'larguse as "Two Victorian Sisters." A one-act play, "After the Case," was enacted by Misses Ethna Cork, Kathleen Teape, Mary Matthews and Eileen West-ray. "I he Bachelor's Dream," a pageant of charming girlhood, was portrayed by Misses Kirkbridc, D. Messer, McLaughlin. Mullins Joyce Smith, Haresnape, Kenible, J. Addison, M. Brown, Mortensen, M. Addison, K. Harper, V. Blackmore and B. Messer. Christmas carols were sung by the entire company, assisted by six whiterobed boy choristers. Charming vocal and instrumental items were given by Misses Laura Walker, Zona Blade, Marguerite Harcsnapo and James Molloy. T-bc elncient accompanists were Robinson, Haresnape and Dunningham. Supper was served later.