SCHOOL CONCERTS

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 6

SCHOOL CONCERTS

MARIST BROTHERS ENTERTAINMENT OF GOOD QUALITY A VARIED PROGRAMME The standard set in the past has led the public of Invercargill to place implicit faith in the good quality of the entertainment provided in concerts given by the pupils of the Marist Brothers' School and that is probably the reason why the Civic Theatre was well filled last evening on the occasion of the annual school concert. Nor were those who attended disappointed, for the concert fulfilled all expectations, encores being demanded for many items. The work of the boys reflected great credit on their teachers, a good deal of painstaking work and thorough preparation being in evidence during the performance. Although the major portion of the entertainment was provided by the pupils of the school, they were assisted by members oi the Catholic Social Club and a few outside performers. The first half of the programme consisted of excerpts from Shakespeare’s "Julius Caesar,” the chief parts being taken by junior pupils of the Brothers’ High School and the pupils of the primary classes. Shakespearean plays are, as a rule, conceded to be beyond the capacity' of boy's, but last night’s performance would almost seem to convert that idea into a fallacy. The. members of the cast had difficult parts to fill in which much memory work was required, but never once did. a performer falter. Although it would be invidious to single out. any performer for special mention, credit must be given to M. Beadle for his characterization of Mark ;\ntony. During his oration to the Roman mob his gestures and deportment were excellent, while he revealed elocutionary powers of no mean order. The cast of characters was as follows: Julius Caesar, L. Small; Marcus Antonius, AL Beadle; Marcus Brutus, G. Martin; Cassius, B. Officer, Trebonius, H. Drury; Casca, D. Cooney, Decius, F. Fraser; Cimber, P. Burke; Cinna, N. Grace; Artemidorus, N. Cameron; A Soothsayer, S. O’Connell. After the interval a male chorus from the Catholic Social Club sang several sea shanties which were favourably received, and the pupils of the school gave an exhibition of maze marching. Neatly arrayed in white shirts and dark Jcnickers and each carrying a Hag, the boys wound in and out of a series of baffling mazes with the utmost ease and confidence. The assembled pupils then sang two choruses, “Sweet and Low” and “Dip, Boys, Dip the Oar” pleasingly after which Messrs J. and R. Wills gave a cornet solo. So loud and persistent was the applause that, the cornettists had to respond to an encore. A mixed quartette, consisting of Misses' D. Pearce and M. Davin and Messrs J. Ferry and W. Wills, sang “The Rosary” and the pupils* chorus again appearer!, this time singing “Fair Shines the Moon To-night” and “The Huntsman’s Chorus” from Weber's “Der Freyschutz.” An item that called for an encore was a violin duet by Masters F. Cusack and R. Lyons, two performers of considerable ability. A touch of colour was lent by a dashing Gypsy dance by' Misses M. Cooper, W. KeppelL P. and M. Murfitt and K. and H. Rutherford and these performers were also recalled. Two choruses, “Massa’s in the Cold Ground” and “Uncle Ned,” were given by the pupils before Master Neville Scully gave a much appreciated piano solo. Of the many choruses given during the evening that of “Excelsior” by a mixed chorus from the Social Club must be numbered among the best and it met with a good reception. The concluding item of the programme was two choruses by the pupils, “Anvil Chorus” from “11 Trovatore” and “God Defend New Zealand.” A feature of the concert was the good work of an orchestra led by Mr J. W. McDonald. Misses Baird and M. Fitzgerald were the accompanists. NORTH SCHOOL A CAPACITY HOUSE. The North Invercargill Hall was crowded last evening for the concert arranged, by the teachers of the school to help the School Committee’s funds. Mr A. W. Anderson, chairman of the committee, presided and in his opening remarks bestowed praise on the teachers for their efforts on the committee’s behalf. Mr W. Aitchison’s party, assisted by the pupils of Miss Madge Flaus and Mr Alex. Sutherland, provided the entertainment which proved so enjoyable that every item was encored. The sum of £ll will be available to the committee as the result of the concert. The programme was as follows: Pianoforte solo, Mr R. Henry; humorous song, “The Egg,” Mr P. Webb; dance duo, Misses Kitty Sutherland and Sylvia Rein; song, “O to be a Gipsy,” Miss S. Ashley; orchestral selection, “Make it Snappy,” First Church Club Orchestra; quartette, “Carry me back to Old Virginny,” Misses Walker and Ashley, Messrs Aitchison and Webb; (Since, Irish Jig, Miss M. Gregory; whistling solo and short stories, Mr W. Aitchison; song, “Danny Boy,” Miss D. Walker; song, “Tommy Lad,” Mr A. F. Holdgate; fancy dance, Miss Sylvia Rein; song, "The Robber King,” Mr P. Webb; orchestral item, “Glee Club,” First Church Orchestra; song, “Lullaby,” Miss Ashley; quartette, “Will ye no’ come back again,” Mr Aitchison’s party; recitation, “Christmastime will soon be here,” Master Brumby. The accompanist was Mr R. Henry.