SCHOOL CONCERT AT URENUI

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1929, Page 13

SCHOOL CONCERT AT URENUI

MOST ENJOYABLE FUNCTION. There is a freshness about children’s voices and a charming abandon about •their actions that always make an irresistible appeal to all sections of the community. This was very evident at Urenui on the occasion of the annual school concert last night, when the audience that packed the commodious hall to overflowing showed in no..uncertain way their appreciation of the splendid and varied programme submitted. A feature of many of the items was

that they accurately portrayed phases

of school activities and thus had considerable x educational value, besides serving to interest parents in the work of the school. All the items, from

that rendered by the tiniest tot to the, senior pupils, were a credit to the ability of the young performers and to the enthusiasm and zeal displayed in their tuition by the teachers, Mr. Bicheno and Miss Elliott. Master Doug. Gibson, who

acted as announcer, warned the audi-

ence to have patience with their modest endeavours and overlook any faults due to lack of practice, but if there were any faults the audience did not see them, everything going off with a

swing. The prettily decorated stage with its brilliant lighting made an admirable setting for the character items, and additional interest was lent by the explanatory remarks given by the announcer, particularly in connection with the eurythmic items. “The Boat in the Storm” was an instance where a party

of boys have fallen asleep in a canoe and awake to find themselves out at sea. They paddle and finally row through a storm to sink exhausted on sighting land. The programme opened ■with a sea shanty, “Rio Grande,” sung 'in rollicking fashion by the company. Then followed a dramatic recital, “Us Two,” by the juniors, Grant Gainfort, x Daphne Wiley, Johnnie Wiley, Myra Rattenbury, Max Bramald and Beatrice Northcott. A humorous item, “Villikins and his Dinah,” with Jean Riddle, Jim Rattenbury and George Geange as the characters brought down the house. “Lie Awake Song,” a combined recital by the primers, Audrey Bramald, Doreen O’Neill, Phyllis Rattenbury, Joyce Hopkins, Josephine Tuta, Jean Tuta, Marjorie Bramald, Rosie Ogier and Marjorie Ogier, proved very effective. Miss L. Smith rendered a pianoforte solo excellently. Other items were: Costume recita-

tion, “Fishing,” by Primers Owen O’Neill, Clem. O’Neill, Ronnie Hopkins, Leslie Clark, Grant Gainfort, Johnny Wiley, Bobbie Scott, Mark Shadbolt, Walter Hen wood and Jack Shadbolt;

costume recitation by Johnny Wiley, entitled “The Duckling’s Swim” (one of

the star items); the eurythmic dance; lullaby by standard 1 girls, Daphne Wiley, Myra Rattenbury, Fanny Ogier, Nola Des Forges, Beatrice Northcott and Lillian Smith (which showed that the young performers put the correct musical interpretation into their movements) ; a character recital, ‘'The Four Japs,” by June Clarke, Peggy Wiley, Shirley Bramald and Jean Marsh (deserving of special praise); a humorous operatic item, “Froggie’fl Wooing,” with Jean Marsh as Mrs. Mouse, Jean Riddle as Miss Mouse, George Geange as Froggie, Doug. Managh as Mr. Rat, Erie Elliott as the cat, and lan Loveridge as the kitten. The second part opened with some sea shanties by the school, followed by another eurythmic game, “Fairies in a Storm,” by Lillian Smith, Daphne Wiley, Myra Rattenbury, Nola Des Forges, Fanny Ogier and Beatrice Northcott. A recitation, “The Cat and the Broom,” was rendered by Daphne Wiley. A eurythmic song, “When We See a Policeman,” by the junior pupils was encored. Frank Handley was an inimitable policeman with Jean Andrews as the driver and Ruby Herbert and Doreen O’Neill as the horses. Jean Andrews was recalled for her naive recitation ‘"Men.” Then followed another euryth-

mic game, •‘Canoe in a Storm,” by the senior boys. “Blossom Day in Japan” was a pretty item by the senior girls, Barbara Gib«rn, Kitty QoEins, Jean •It. ......

Riddle, Etta Mooney, Olive Herbert and Betty Mallock. A dramatic item, “One Good Turn Deserves Another,” was feelingly rendered, the lads, especially George Geange as Mr. Chippie, carrying off their parts well. Eric Elliott as Harry, Doug. Maijagh as Edward, and Ted Millwaid as Mr. Till were all good. A dramatic playlet, “Story Book Land,” held the audience in rapt attention, the chaiacters being Prince, Dough. Managh, Dorothy, Barbara Gibson, Marjorie, Betty Mattock, Folly, Kitty Collins, imps, Jean Riddle and Jean Marsh, with their attendant fairy frolics. It was followed by a very clever burlesque by the boys. 1 The accompaniments were played bj Miss Elliott and Miss Jean Handley. Then followed what . perhaps to. the children was the most important item of the evening—supper. Mr. L. Rattenbury, chairman of the committee, on behalf of the teachers and committee thanked the parents for the splendid way in which they had patronised the concert. He congratulated the teachers, Mr. Bieheno and Miss Elliott, on the excellent programme that h: .1 been submitted, stating that it was remarkable considering that they had only had ten days’ preparation and that both teachers were practically new to the district. He thanked the parents for the assistance' rendered, and specially thanked Mr. A. H. Halcombe for the flowers and for assisting in the decorations; Mr. C. D. Smith for the lighting effects and Mrs. Handley, Mr. Wiley and the ladies of the district for refreshments. Subsequently two or three hours were spent in dancing to excellent music provided by Nia Edwin, an extra being played by Miss Jean Handley. Messrs D. Jillet and A. Halcombe were masters of ceremonies. The committee, comprising Messrs L. Rattenbury (chairman), R. Bramald, R. Andrews (secretary), D. des Forges and G. Loveridge, all worked hard and they and the teachers deserve to be congratulated on the success achieved.