JUVENILE ENTERTAINMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18322, 12 August 1921, Page 6

JUVENILE ENTERTAINMENT

MISS NOELINE PARKER’S PUPILS.

There is invariably something peculiarly refreshing about a children’s pertormance, and this factor contributed in large measure to the success of the entertainment which was given in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by Miss Noeline Parker’s senior and junior pupils. But it was by no means the sole factor in the evening’s enjoyment. The young folk, many of whom showed a natural aptitude for stage work, all gave evidence of careful training in those varied accomplishments which made it possible ■for them to act as hostesses in an entertainment much of which was designed on quite ambitious lines. It is not to be inferred from this that the children were asked to do more than might reasonably be expected from them. Practically every item in the programme was well within the compass of the abilities cf the respective performers and the various concerted song scenas, playettes, and picture items which made up the entertainment were presented with a degree of taste and skill reflecting credit alike on Miss Parker’s teaching methods and on the intelligence of her pupils. It was a distinct achievement to present so successfully as was done the wide diversity of items staged, calling into play as they did the arts of singing, elocution, dancing, and dramatic deportment ; and it was evident that much care had been bestowed upon the preceding rehearsals. The delightful manner in which the whole entertainment was received by the large audience present must have been exceedingly gratifying to Miss Parker and also to the performers. The programme was made up of the following items Opening scena, “Como to the Fair,” soloists —Misses M. M’Cleary, M. Andrews, M. Welsh, and E. Feltham; chorus —Misses W. AUnutt, Duncan, White, G. Driver. Fraser. F. Pickard, C. Browne, M. Clothier, and Master Welsh; Dolls’ Frolic —Child, Miss Phyllis Douglas; Fairy, Baby Davidson; Dolls, Misses E. Cohn, J. Williamson, A. Clarkeson, B. M’Kenna, Masters Spiro, Davidson, Olarkeson, and Smith; Concerted Song, " Bubbles,” soloist, Miss Jean Pickard; Bubbles— Misses Douglas, A. Browne, Bannatyne, E. Feltham, K. M’Kewen, and N. Davidson; Playetto, “Blind Alleys.” Miss Duncan (dressmaker), Miss G. Driver (philanthropist), Miss AUnutt (a flirt), Miss Clothier (photographer), Miss Fraser (mother), xVliss M. M’Cleary (servant); Scena, “Fireside Pictures,” Miss G. Driver (nurse), Phyllis Douglas (fairy and firefly) ; lullaby chorus. Misses J. Pickard, M. Feltham, B. Bannatyne, A. Clarkeson, B. M'Kewen, Baby Davidson; storyland people, Misses J. Williamson, E. Cohn, li. M'Kewen, R. Etheridge, M. Bollard, N. Davidson, Masters Bannatyne and Clarkeson; Chinese Song and Dance, “Chong” (in which the Oriental costumes ‘ wore specially effective), Misses M. M'Cleary, M. Andrews, M. Welsh, E. and C. Browne; concerted song, " Keys of Heaven,” Misses E. Feltham, A. Browne. J. Pickard, P. Douglas, N. Davidson, and M. Feltham; concerted song, “ Dutohies,” Misses N. Davidson, Williamson. Etheridge, Cohn, Bannatyne, A. Brown, Bollard, R. M’Kewen, Olarkeson, M. Feltham, Masters Pickard, Bannatyne, Davidson, and Spiro. In addition recitations were rendered by Muster Billie Pickard (“Helping Uncle Joe”), Master Sam Spiro (“The Minister to Tea”). Master Ivan Davidson (“Bud Discusses Cleanliness ”), and Miss Jean Pickard (“ Old Chap ”) : ducts by Misses Mollie Andrews and Mona Walsh (“ Rendezvous ”), and Misses E. Feltham and Non! Davidson (“ Sailor’s Wooing ”), and r an action song by Miss Mollie Andrews (“ Ihe Little Damozel”). The final scena, “ Tulip Time,” was given by the combined senior and junior pupils, and it made a very effective spectacle indeed. Two overtures were played by the orchestra, which consisted of Misses Claire Feltham and Misses W. and P. Hawcridgc, and these performers also deserve a word of praise for their nicely subdued accompaniments.