ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S ACADEMY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1285, 15 October 1896, Page 39

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S ACADEMY.

The Exchange Hall was crowded last week with an eager and enthusiastic audience, who witnessed an which reflected the highest credit on the pupils of St. Francis Xavier’s Academy and their talented teacher, and Miss Beeves, who was in charge of the vocal and dramatic part. The programme was diversified and attractive, and the concert generally was above the of the average school display. After an overture by the orchestra, and a graceful piano duet by Misses J. Sexton and (Jranby, the operetta, or fairy extravaganza, with the remarkable title of “ Bumpelstiltskin ” (which happens to be the name of a spiteful dwarf) was performed with the following cast: —Old King Cole, Miss A. Swiney ; Jan, Miss W. Birch ; Janette, Miss Leal; fcophia, Miss Durrant; Bumpelstiltskin, Miss V. Wills ; Goldstick, Miss L. Wright. This wa3 a great success. The girls sang and acted admirably, and entered cordially into the spirit of the piece. As interludes, some part songs were given, as well as two piano duets —one by Misses Crowther and Higgin, a fantasia of “La Mascotte,” and the other by Misses F. Wright and Gilpin, a Schubert polonaise. Miss Holly Sample sang “ One Heart Divine,” and was recalled. In the second part of the programme, Misses F. Gilpin, A. Eddy, Hughes and Ward played a piano selection, Misses V. Ciminoand Ward a violin duet by Berthold Tours, and Misses Maggie McArdle and Johnston a piano duet. Miss Harbroe sang “ The Sunshine of Paradise Alley,” and was encored. The very enjoyable and interesting er.tertaintment concluded with an amusing farce, “ Domestic Ecouomy, in which the characters were sustained by Misses W. Birch, Durrant, Collins, B. Thorburn, H. Weight, Arthur, A. McGuire, D. Isaacs and V. Weight. The instrumental music in connection with the entertainment was under the tuition of Mrs Walsh and Mr Cimino.