Grand Operetta

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15707, 8 December 1915, Page 2

Grand Operetta

“THE DISAGREEABLE PRINCESS ”

CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS

As confidently anticipated one of the largest audiences of the season at the Theatre Royal was that of Monday evening on the occasion of the presentation by pupils and ex-pupils of the Convent High School of the Operetta“ The D isagreeabl e Pri ncess’ ’ and concert items.

The latter were given as the first part of the programme and were of decided merit throughout. 9 he overture “ Tancredi ” was splendidly played by the orchestra, of which Mr T. Billing was conductor, and Miss Cooper pianist. The pianoforte quartette “ La Cheval de Bronze ” by Misses F. Fitzgerald, Wilson, Magill and Grice was much appreciated, and the Highland Fling by Master F. Firkin loudly applauded. The concerted duo “ Pus des Cymbals,’’ by Misses F. Fitzgerald and Magill was very skilfully performed, and the vocal duet “ Venetian Barcarolle ’’ by Misses M. Wigg and G. Fitzgerald nicely rendered. Misses Johnson, Charlton, Magill and Wilson contributed a piano quartette most acceptably, and then followed quite one of the best items of the evening, the selection “Simple Aven’’ by Misses R. Cooper, J. Wigg and Master C. Mace, Ist violins, Misses Crawshaw, Phillips, Magill and Cobb 2nd violins, and Misses I- Wagstaff and Cobb, pianos. This elicited loud applause consequent upon the manner in which the players acquitted themselves

During the interval the orchestra which was a great factor in the real success of the performance, played two selections, and the Rev. Father McGuinness, on behalf of the Sisters thanked the public for their patronage, and said he felt sure many of the parents present must have felt gratified at the progress .made by the children, as evidenced that evening. The operetta was splendidly staged by Messrs Ji Geaney and H. Willis, while the dresses more than exceeded the anticipations of the audience. All the parts were excellently portrayed, it was fully evident that the Operetta had been thoroughly rehearsed. The following was the Dramatis Personae : —The King of Eulay, Miss Eileen Magill ; Queen of Eulay, Miss Bridgie Cobb ; Princess Marigold, Their Daughter, Miss Marion Wigg ; Piince Love-all, Miss Anne Wilson ; Prince Marmad'uke, Miss Ivy Gavin ; Prince Adrian, Miss Doris McGlashan ; Susette, Miss Margaret Crawshaw ; Ninette, Miss Dulcie Charlton ; Page, Master Firkin ; Court Jester, Master E. Watson ; Nurses Elsie and Madge, Misses Alice Irwin and Violet Mandeno ; Town Crier, Master Patrick Geaney ; nurses, courtiers, Maids-in-waiting, pages, Hunters, etc. The Love-Queen, Miss Hazel Baine; Fairy of Beauty, Miss Stella Mandeno ; Fairy of Knowledge, Miss Violet Noonan ; Fairy of Health, Miss Margaret Cobb ; Fairy of Wealth, Miss Rita Fitzgerald ; Fairy of Life, Miss Elsie McGlashan ; Witch of the Fen, Miss Mabel Gavin Fen Fairy, Miss Mavis Mace ; Love Fairy, Miss Nina Fitzgerald ; dream fairies, imps, etc., etc. Miss Marion Wigg as the Princess acted and sang most commendably. The duet with Prince Loveall “ So we little youth and maiden ” was very meritorously given, while the solo “ I am Draggled, Damp and Dusty ’’ was contributed to the full appreciation of the audience. Miss Mabel Gavin as Witch of the Fen was heard toadvantageinhersolo “ The Most Disagreeable Princess in the World,” and Miss Hazel Baine as “ The Love Queen ” sang her solo “ I am the Queen of Love ” very n : cely. Prince Loveall’s (Miss Anne Wilson) solo, “ Oh ! I am the King of the Sylvan Glen ” was excellently rendered.

The dance “ Tarantella ’’ by the Imps and the “ Gavotte des Sylphes” by Prince Love-all, Princess Marigold, courtiers, and ladies were greatly enjoyed. The entertainment was brought to a close with the Grand Patriotic Finale “ Till the Boys come Home ” by Miss Wilson and chorus.

Great credit is due to the Sisterg of Mercy for the general excellence of the programme, and their reward is in the success that attended it, for both the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund and the school will appreciably benefit consequent on the time and labour devoted to the presentation of the Operetta, which was so well placed before the public.