BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26274, 4 October 1946, Page 3

BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

HIGH SCHOOL .CONCERT It has been some years since the pupils of the Waitaki Boys’ High School last staged a school concert, but the entertainment provided in the Opera House last night for a large and appreciative audience. was of an equal standard of proficiency and presentation to previous performances. From the opening choruses by the massed school choirs until the finale of the musical comedy, a wide variety of entertaining items was continued in quick sequence, with solo performers, groupfe and choruses, instrumental and dancing items being presented in a polished and well-trained style. The stage effects were In keeping with the numbers presented, and the scenery and costuming for the musical comedy 'were very realistic. Accompaniments were played by Messrs A. W. Gibb, J. Macmillan (who also conducted the choirs), and Mr L. H. Goddard. Credit is due to the teaching staff for organising and presenting the programme, and to the pupils themselves for their performances. The massed choirs opened the programme with a sea medley, followed by "Gay-robed Spring" (Mendelssohn), "Cradle Song” ißrahms), "John Peel,” and " Hilly-Holly.’ A bright tap dance was followed by numbers by the school band, the hymn, " New Rochedale ” (Wigglesworth) and the march "Appreciation" (Powell). Both numbers were presented in a fine style under the conductorship of Mr P. W. Hargreaves. Poems by Caryl Brahms were introduced by junior pupils in. a collection of child studies —"A Waste of Time,” “ New Shoes," “ The Aunts ” and “An Awful Impulse!” The physical training of the school was seen in a series of gymnastics in vaulting and pyramids. Trevor Dimick displayed skill in his violin solos, “ Hejre Kati ” (Hubay) being particularly well received. A one-act play, “ Courtin’ Christina,” in which the leading players spoke with a Scottish accent, told the story of Christina’s persuasive admirer and his attempt to win her over into matrimony. “ Once Aboard the Lugger,” a comic opera by Rowley, was ably presented, the choruses and soloists doing full justice to their parts. The superstitious " Sludgy Meagles,” the miserable comedian of the crew whose “ feelings ” were taken too lightly by his comrades, finished the performance by becoming the ship's hero after many” escapes aboard' the ” Nutcracker.” The programme will be presented again to-night in the Opera House, commencing at 8 o’clock.