RAWHITIROA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1931, Page 10

RAWHITIROA NEWS

SCHOOL CONCERT .SUCCESS. Tl:e end-of-term school concert organised by the Rawhitiroa school committee on Thursday night drew a crowded attendannee and was a pronounced success. The hall had been specially decorated with paper flowers and streamers by the school children, and the general, lighting and decorative effect was commendable. The first half of the programme comprised items by the pupils, and the second musical and elocutionary ixiixnbers by local and visiting artists, Mr. F. E. Silver being responsible for the arrangements. A rollicking chorus, “Give Yourself a Pat on the Back,” was the children’s opening number, and it was followed by a glee° “My Bonnie,” which drew an enthusiastic encore. The junior children presented an action song, “When I was a Lady,” and Lawrence O’Connor and Eileen Hutchins sang “The Keys of Heaven” very sweetly as a duet. One of the most popular items was the jazz band in which the boys played various dance tunes on a weird assortment of instruments, including kayoos, combs and cocoa tins. The boys also performed a Maori haka, entering fully into the spirit of the thing with fearsome cries and awe-inspiring gestures. “The Three Maids of Lee” was excellently rendered as a trio in costume by Gwen, Ruth and Eunice Cocker. Mr. D. Silver and. Master Robert Fletcher were heard to advantage in a pianoforte duet, “Rendez-vous,” and were compelled to respond to an encore. The junior children sang two pretty action songs, “Baking a Cake” and “Miss Jenny Jones.” The school pupils’ part of the programme .concluded with the singing, of three choruses, “Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes,” “The Mosquito’s Serenade” and ‘‘Good-night.” . The adult programme comprised: Pianoforte solo, “Beethoven Sonata, Mr. D. Silver; vocal duet, “Watchman, What of the Night?” Miss Evelyn Mehrtens and Mr. F. E. Silver; musical monologue, “Having It Out,” Miss Noreen Fake; song, “Hills of Donegal,” Mrs. Rankin; recitation, “Wedding Whispers,” Miss Noreen Fake; songs, “If 1 But Knew” and “My True Love,” Mrs. W. Mace; song, “Within a Mile of Edinburgh Town,” Mrs. Rankin; Scotch dances, Miss Eileen Peebles; song, “Annie Laurie,” Miss Evelyn' Mehrtens. Mr. D. Silver was the accompanist. Mr. J. Cocker, chairman of the school committee, said the large attendance ensured that the finances of the dental clinic would be on a satisfactory basis as fax - as the Rawhitiroa quota was concerned. Supper was served by the ladies of the district, following which dancing took place under the direction. of Mr. Darcy May. The children displayed several folk dances, “Sir Roger de Coverlev,” “French Reel,” “Frolic,” and “Lubin" Loo.” Music for the adults’ dancing was supplied by Mesdames Hutchins and Gernhoefer, Misses E. Mehrtens, P. O’Connor and E. Cocker, and .Mr. A. M. Wilson. Mr. Wilson played for the children’s dances.

The Rawhitiroa school football team visited Pukengahu on Thursday afternoon and defeated the Pukengahu school after an exciting game by. 9 points to 6. Tries were scored for the winners by Boothen (2) and MacDonald. Old and L. Phillips scored for Pukengahu.

ELTHAM THEATRE.

“THE BOUDOIR DIPLOMAT.”

The gay affairs of a master lover are depicted in “The Boudoir Diplomat,” the Universal special production with an all-star, cast which will 'commence showing at Eltham to-night. The roster of players includes Betty Compson, lan Keith, Mary Duncan, Lawrence Grant, Jeanette Loff, Lionel Belmore and Andre Beranger, together with a large number of minor players. The story of “The Boudoir Diplomat” deals with the adventures of a gay bachelor in the European diplomatic service, a man who specialises in other men’s wives, until he finally secures one for himself. Betty Compson and Mary Duncan are the wives in question, while the role of the philandering bachelor is played by lan Keith. Jeanette Loff is seen as the true love to whom he finally loses his heart, The maze of the intrigue surrounding the love adventures of °the diplomat provides many delightful and thrilling situations. In assembling the players for the picture, the producer lias obtained a cast, of true all-star proportions. Betty Compson is one of the most sought-after players of the talkies, with a long list of successes to her credit. lan Keith, who was celebrated as a stage star before going to the screen, has scored notably in the talking pictures, and is. re-, o-arded as the ideal choice for the role of the gay Baron Valmi. Mary Duncan, noted beauty of the stage, has added greatly to her star success by her work in pictures.

“PLAY YOUR KING.”

PERFORMANCE AT ELTHAM.

“Permit me, as an old dramatic amateur in Sydney and provincial towns of Autsralia, to congratulate and compliment you as the producer of ‘Play Your King’ as staged at the Opera House, New Plymouth. In my long life I have seen many amateur performances, but I do not remember ever having seen anything to surpass the production of ‘Play four King.’ The story was good and the acting' was excellent. The dressing, scenery and lighting could not have been better. The singing was good as, too, was the orchestra, and the ballets and acrobatic turns were splendid, while the fun was clean and plentiful. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole performance. Can I say" more?” The above letter, front a man highly esteemed in New Plymouth, voices the general opinion of the Stratford Amateur Operatic Society’s 1931 production. The whole performance is outstanding, and, but for the fact that the advertisements say otherwise, might justifiably be mistaken for a good professional’show. ‘‘Play Your King” will be staged at the Eltham town hall next Monday, and it is well worth the prices of admission.