PUBLIC SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3331, 5 December 1883, Page 2

PUBLIC SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.

The entertainment in aid of the prize funds of the Timaru (Main and Side) Schools, took place last evening in the Theatre Royal. As was expected, the building was densely crammed, and the audience welcomed the young performers (all of whom were pupils of the schools) with the utmost enthusiasm. The opening piece was an overture by the orchestra, after which, Mr Cuthbert’s sol-fa class rendered a glee in good style. A little dragging is perhaps unavoidable when the singing is performed without instrumental accompaniment; but the excellent tune, harmony, and distinct enunciation were very marked. This was followed by a comic sketch “ Birchiugton Academy” in which the cast was as follows :—Head Master and French Teacher,Charles F, Collins; Jenkins, Fred Kirby; Ferris, James Fullarfcon ; Snook, Jack Mee; Smith, Arthur Wilson; Jones, William Howe, This very laughable little comedy was played in a most natural and effective manner by all the boys, and evoked immense laughter. There was a recitation, charmingly given by a phenomenal Miss of very tender years, Bella Straehan, which was received with much applause. “ The two Twins” by two boys, Home and Stone simultaneously, and “ Remember the Guy” and “Easter Morning,” by Lizzie Morgan and Ada Mee respectively, were recited with correctness and taste and were received by the audience with evident appreciation. A number of the Side School pupils gave two songs or recitatives, taken from the Kindergarten collection —“The Fox and the Geese,” and “ This is the way we Clap our Hands.” The execution of these gave evidence of very careful training, Annie Fogarty, who sang “ The Flowers of the Forest ” was accorded an enthusiastic encore. Her voice is certainly of great compass and very rich. The “ Blackbird,” sung by a little lady of five years, named Falgar, was received with much favour. The members of the Drum and Fife band, under Mr Ligertwood, maintained the high reputation already won, by singing the wellknown chorus from “ Pinafore ” entitled “ The Little Midshipraite,” and playing a hornpipe and the “ Venetia Waltz.” The entertainment concluded with a very effective burlesque of “ Robin Hood,” the characters being as follows: “ Robin Hood,” Aggio Mee; “ King Richard,” Laura Kerr; “Maid Marion,” Violet Stone ; “ AUan-a-Dalo,” Emma Campbell ; “ Alice,” Clara Shirtcliffe ; “Little John,” Alfred Haigh ; “Will Scarlet," Leonard Webb ; “ Much,” Cecil Smith; “ Showman,” Jack Mee; “Sherrill of Nottingham,” Willie Webb; “ Norman, the Tax-gatherer,” Steve Wilson: “Hugo,” William Howe. There were also peasants, servants, &c. The dresses generally were appropriate, and the forest scene belonging to the Theatre was displayed to excellent advantage. The young people entered very heartily into the performance, and the audience testified their delight by frequent applause. The piece was just as effective as that given two years ago under Miss Cramond’s direction ; it was very good, and had been very carefully prepared. Before the dispersion of the audience, His Worship the Mayor, who is also Chairman of (he SclioolCommittee,addressed the audience, thanking them for their attendance, and bespeaking the thunks of everyone for the ladies and gentlemen who had had charge of the preparations. The proceedings terminated at eleven o’clock, and the sight of the merry excited youngsters as they trooped out, cloaked and capped, from the stage entrance, was worth seeing. The th mks of the audience, of the Committee, and of the pupils, are certainly due to Mrs Graham, head mistress, for her unwearied exertions throughout ; to Mr Stone for his valuable direction, which was the one thing needful to make (he affair a success; to Mrs Stone for her kindly care and assistance in decking out the young people, and looking generally after the toilet department ; to Mr Ligertwood for the valuable aid of his brigade of lifers ; to Mrs Nelson for the capital training of the little ones in her charge; to Mr Cuthbert for the excellent music he provided by his singing class; and a very special acknowledgement is due to the efficient orchestra, consisting of Miss Paul, and Messrs Huggins, Walcot, Kimber, and Dickenson, who gave their valuable services gratis. The nett proceeds of the entertainment were over £SB.