SCHOOL CONCERT AT BROAD BAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 39

SCHOOL CONCERT AT BROAD BAY.

A most successful concert was held in the Broad Bay Public Hall on Friday evening, November 22. The entertainment was of the nature t>f a Mnderspiel entitled "Old Friends with New Faces." It was given by the children of the public school in aid of the prize fund- Miss Farquharson (the teacher) and Mrs Habershon undertook the training of the children for tne different parts, and the results were highls creditable to all concerned. The various characters were admirably sustained, a notable feature being the comparative infancy of some of the performers. The central character: Sister Katrine, was undertaken by Miss Kathieeai Ihcker, who in a charming manner introduced each of the characters as they came on the stage. Her pure diction and easy manner must have charmed all. The scene represented! a village green on which the tohildren gathered for play. The first to join tho merry party was Little Mistress Mary in the person of Miss Barbara Weir, a damty little maid of about seven years. Clad in a dimple white dress and a large white muslin hat, and bearing a beautiful basket of flowers and a- tiny watering-can, she gave in a =weet little voice the weil-known story of Mistress Mary's garden" with "the silver bells »nd cockleshells and the beautiful cowslips idl in a row." A sturdy Humpty Dumpty, sustained by Master Lawson Grainger, followed, and in quaint style gave the story of Humpty Dumpty'e life and fall, and the inability of all "the horses and men in tho king's establishment" to put him together again. 4t this stage the entrance of six smart soldiers in bright uniforms, bearing tor rifles, was greeted with great' applau?e by 'the delighted audience. Master Charles Randal! acted as Sergeant Buzfuz, and put his men through some simple gun drill, which was admirably performed by the youthful soldiers. Their marching and singing formed » o!ea.!»ant feature of the entertainment, and the effect of the red uniforms among the ■white dresses of the girls was very pretty. A swing had been erected on the stage, and the little ones swung to and fro to th« acompaniment of dainty music. Old Mother .tjbard, accompanied by her dog, was also present. The part waa taken by Miss Alice Gralnger. So admirably was it done that on al" rides the question arose "Who is she 9 " The • story of the empty"-cupboajrd was well Bung and when she quietly retired and took out"\heir knitting while she watched the_ merry youngster* the audience showed their approval in a decided manner. Jack and Jill rlid their part splendidly. Their entrance wa* narked by "Hurrahs" from the children, and Emily Black, as Jill, delighted all with hex /sweet rendering of Jack's misfortune at the well Master James Black, as Jack, was £uite equal to the part. Little Boy Blue was taken by Master James Weir. His dress and singing added much to the entertainment. Ixittle Red Riding Hood was greeted with delight, Miss B. Black again appearing. Her departure amid merry good-bye? and waving of handkerchiefs was deplored by the children, who assumed a reverent attitude find in sweet song with tenderly subdued voices prayed that she might be delivered a* she passed through the dangerous forest. While doing so Little Bo Peep entered softly, drying, and lamenting the loss of her sheep. She was soothed by Sister Katrine, and on being led forward she dried her tears and told her story in a manner that so delighted all that they clamoured for her return. Misg Violet Muirhead snstajned the jharacter. Her dainty appearance and sweet singing were simply charming for a little maiden of eight years. Little Jack Homer was the subject of some guessine on the chi'dren's part. Jack the Giant Killer and Jack in the Bean Stalk proving to be wrong, he told the audience himeelf in socg all about the Christmas pie and the big plum discovered therein. His greed was received with derision by the children, who crowded round, and in song expressed such strong disapproval that poor Jack had to be soothed and comforted, and was l<"d to join the eames on the green. Some pretty skipping was shown by the girls, coloured ropes being u<=od for effect. At the finale the principal characters marched under an a<rcb formed of coloured flags and raised by the boys and girls. Delightful singing- and whistling was introduced also into this part. Tho whole scene wa= decidedly nretty. The stage was beautifully decorated, and the effect was very pleasing. Coloured fire was used to throw a red light on the whole scene from the wtng-3. This brought the entertainment to a close. The Chairman of the School Committee and Mr Weir passed tae usual votes of thanks and appreciation. The children, led by Miss Kathleen Dicker, gave hearty cheers for Mrs Hebershon and Miss Farquharson. There ladies had worked hard, but no doubt were amply repaid by the admirable way in which tfae oU£l<iT©n acquitted tliemseJ-s-es and fey to© enthusiastic manner in which the audience showed their appreciation. Among the votes of thanks one wu accorded to Mrs Farquhar- , eon and Miss M'Lauchlan, who made the eoldieoV uniforms, coats, an 4 hats. A desire for a repetition of the" entertainment ■will no doubt be gratified by Miss FaTquharson and Mrs Habershon latex on in the season.