THREE PLAYS

Southland Times, Issue 22067, 14 July 1933, Page 8

THREE PLAYS

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS ORCHESTRA PERFORMS WELL ' SUCCESSFUL CONCERT The days have passed when the test of a boy’s education was his ability to propound the answer to twice the half of two squared or to analyse correctly some purple passage from Shakespeare. It has been increasingly recognized that there should be a great deal more in the curriculum than the “three R.’s” In 1931 there were formed at the Southland Boys’ High School an orchestra and a dramatic club, both of which organizations secured enthusiastic support from boys whose minds were not confined to the material things of life. Just how much progress has been made with these valuable additions to the corporate life of the school was demonstrated last evening when an orchestral and dramatic concert was given in the school hall to a large audience of parents, friends and scholars. The first part of the programme was musical, consisting chiefly of items by the orchestra. There are twenty boys and two masters in the orchestra which, under the baton of Mr W. J. Ferguson, has made rapid strides. Its programme last evening was an ambitious one, but at no time could it be said that it had o’erleapt itself. There was a balance and flexibility that would have been envied by many an adult orchestra; and very shortly there will come that greater depth of feeling which adds so much to the inspirational enjoyment of the rich pieces the orchestra is now capable of playing. The numbers given last evening were “Marche Militaire” (Schubert), the Prelude to the “Merchant of Venice” (Rosse), “Ave Maria” (Gounod) and the Doge’s March from the “Merchant of Venice.” A pianoforte solo, “Deuxieme Mazarke” (Goddard), was so well played by L. Jones that he had to respond to an encore, while Mr G. Gunn’s singing proved extremely popular, he also having to respond to encores at each appearance. ITie Dramatic Club, which is under the supervision of Mr A. R. Dunlop, held sway in the second half, three one-act plays being presented. The interest of the audience was held throughout and the celerity with which the changes of scenery were made was most favourably commented upon. The first play was “The Ghost of Jerry Bundler,” an adaptation by C. W. Rock of one of W. W. Jacob’s stories. It concerned a practical joke with a disastrous ending, the parts being played by P. L. McNamara, R. S. Brown, R. L. Stewart, G. Mackay, E. Hannah, J. C. Hazeldine and J. Hannon. The acting was good, there being nothing forced or stilted, but the boys should not overlook the fact that for a play to be successful it must be heard. Too often in this play the audience had to strain to hear the words. There could also have been a little more animation in the conversation.

The second play was George Calderon’s “Peace,” which the author describes as a farce in one act. J. MacGibbon, J. Matheson and W. J. Morgan were the actors and each did very well. It was the sort of piece schoolboys thoroughly delight in playing and their enthusiasm was conveyed to the audience who thoroughly enjoyed themselves from start to finish.

A melodrama, “The Death Trap” by C. K. Munro, was the concluding play. L. Jones, R. W. Reid, L. F. Uttley, P. H. McGrath and G. F. V. Anderson filled the roles and save that the guards were somewhat tame in the opening scenes the quintet succeeded admirably. Altogether it was a bright and entertaining evening and one which furnished abundant evidence of the many-sidedness of the instruction being imparted to the boys privileged to attend the school.