NIGHT OF MUSIC AND DRAMA

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1931, Page 7

NIGHT OF MUSIC AND DRAMA

ST. MARY’S SOCIAL CLUB EVENING

Drama, song and a character sketch admirably performed formed the basis of a programme of musical and dramatic entertainment given in St. Mary’s Hail, New Plymouth, last night. The proceeds of the evening were devoted to the funds of St. Mary’s Social Club, which should benefit considerably from the good audience present. The programme was opened happily with pianoforte solos delightfully played by Mies Aileen Horner, followed by vocal solos by Mrs. Wilkes, for whom Miss Horner acted as accompanist. “The Bishop’s Candlesticks,” a oneact play adapted by Norman McKimiel from the novel Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo, completed the first half of the programme. Around the two silver candles of the Bishop (Rev. R. Fordham Clark), whose prized possession they were as the gift of his dying mother, was woven the regeneration of the escaped convict (Mr. Mac Robertson) by the loving kindness for all suffering mankind of the bishop, who surrendered his most prized heirloom to save thp convict from a continuation of his ten years’ sentence. As a foil to the bishop was his sister (Miss D. Simpson) whose lovo of temporal things was only a little less strong than her love for her brother. Opening with sound work on the part of the maid (Miss Sheila East) iu her exchanges with the bishop’s sister, t|io playlet ran smoothly to its denouement, assisted in great measure by the forceful acting of the convict. Messrs. D. Hetherington and D. H. Budd played the parts of gendarmes. Following the serving of supper the curtain rose upon a musical soiree in a mid-Victorian home, where the guests, costumed according to the period, entertained one another, and the audience as well. Vocal solos wore given by Miss M. Goodson, Mr. L. Middlewoek' and the Rev. Clark, and a vocal duet by the Misses E. and E. Cartwright. Miss M. McHardy recited, and Miss Frances Broad was at the piano. 1 Mrs. W. J. Reid as Betsy Priggs, and Miss W. Wise as Sairey Gamp concluded the programme with a sketch from Charles Dickens’ Martin Chuzzlewit, entitled “The Falling Out of Betsy Priggs and Sairey Gamp.” Their interpretation of the two one-time friends in the cups was excellent.