CAVERSHAM SCHOOL CHOIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23940, 16 October 1939, Page 4

CAVERSHAM SCHOOL CHOIR

FINE JUVENILE ENTERTAINMENT Maintaining the tradition of sound organisation, skilful preparation and originality of conception set in earlier entertainments, the annual concert by the Caversham School Choir, which was presented before a large audience in His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night, provided musical and variety entertainment of an enjoyably high calibre. The most refreshing feature of these concerts is the enthusiasm with which the juvenile performers carry out their work, and it is this enthusiasm, coupled with the careful drilling the children have received at the hands of their teachers, which contributes to the success of the concert. High praise must also be given to all who assisted in the preparation of the entertainment, particularly in the matter of providing the large numbers of frocks and costumes used during the entertainment, which helped to give it a colour that the audience found most attractive. The opening portion of the programme consisted of songs by the choir, which sang the “Anvil Chorus," from Verdi’s “II Travatore”; an adaptation of Schubert’s “Moment Musicale,” entitled “The Mirage”: “The Packman,” a Russian number; and “My Wild Irish Rose.” All were presented with engaging freshness, the parts being handled very well by the young singers, who maintained good balance and clear tone. A song scena, “ Spring.” by the pupils of Standards I and 11, was a delightfully dainty piece of work, the little dancers executing their manoeuvres with good precision. The senior pupils then gave an impressive display of intricate marching movements, physical drill and pyramid building, the first half of the programme being concluded with further items by the choir, which sang “ Song of the River.” “Pokarekare” and “A Pari Ra.” The second half of the entertainment consisted of a pageant of Empire, a spectacular and inspiring performance of strongly patriotic vein. The presentation was introduced by a herald who gave an eloquent prologue, after which Britannia was seen, attended by England. Scotland. Ireland and Wales. Then there came the Spirit of Empire, who summoned John Bull, played by a suitably robust young bov. who in turn summoned his “ cub' ’’ —New Zealand. Australia, Canada, South Africa and India—who were joined by France. Soldiers, sailors airmen and nurses participated in the pageant, in which songs of the various dominions, appropriate recitations and choruses culminated in the singing of “Land of Hope and Glory” by the entire company. The presentation revealed that the school has plenty of fine juvenile stage talent in its ranks. The good stage deportment of the performers was a particularly imnressive feature of the nageant, and the confidence with which they acted their parts was an indication of the intensive preparation which the presentation had received. The organisers of the concert are to be complimented on the success of their work, the entertainment being one of.the best that the school has produced over a long period of years.