THE CONVENT SCHOOLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2889, 14 December 1898, Page 3

THE CONVENT SCHOOLS.

The first of the annual entertainments m aid of the funds of the Sacred Heart Convent Schools, took place m the Theatre Royal last evening. The attendance, notwithstanding the showery weather, was excellent ; and the deepest interest was shown m the entertainment from -first to last. This year marked a dew departure, the young lady teachers assisted by a few lady friends, taking the chief part, and the girl pupils of the Convent School a minor ■ part. After a capitally played overture, the girl pupils, about 60 m all, opened the entertainment with the chorus " Bwiftly Winging," which was splendidly sung, m the second part they gave the ever popular chorus, " The Harp that once through Tara's Halls," and agaiu acquitted themselves well, the chorus being rendered j with an enthusiasm which called forth prolonged applause. The accompaniments were finely played by Misß E. McGuinness. During the evening the popular boy reciter. Master Collins, gave a very mirth-provoking recitation, and was unanimously encored, to which he bowed his acknowledgment of the honour done him. The principal items of the programme were the drama " A Twofold Revenge," and a farce " Mrs Willis' Will." In attempting the first the ladies set themselves a difficult task, and it was due to their really good acting that it went so well as it did. It was, however, rather too heavy ; and though the audience heartily applauded the fine declamation of "Linda," and "Yamouna," and the lighter passages by " Susan," as excellent pourtrayals, the reception as a whole was rather quiet.. The. •? plot" was easily followed, and as the drama is to be repeated this evening, we will not spoil the expectation of friends who wish to be present, by going into the details of it. Miss Kenny as " Zinda," the Moorish Princess, had the most to do, and gave a very good representation; and Miss A. McDonald and Miss E. McGuinnesa as " Rona " and " Yamouna " respectively, were also very good. As the English ladies Miss O'Brien and Miss G. Hall were capital, and the part of the witch (the scene m which she and the Princess took part being by the bye one of the best of the piece) was well taken by Miss McGuinness. Miss McGowan as the servant added a lot of lightness to the drama, and so far as the audience was concerned had the most popular part of the cast, infusing a lot of | familiar life into it. The drama was beautifully mounted and dressed, and the scene where the English ladies enter, gave the audience ample opportunity to compare the charm of the flowing robes of the Moorish ladies, with the plainness of the walking costumes of the woman of to-day. The farce which followed waß good from first to last, the " airs and graces "of "Lady Spindle" (Miss McKennah), "Mrs Dwindley". (Miss Collins), being mirth-provoking foils to the fun, and smart remarks by " Mrs Roberts " (Miss McGowan), '• Jenny " ( Miss Wade), and "Rachel" (Miss Sullivan), and creating no end of merriment. AH the young ladies acquitted themselves m an excellent manner, and the farce was a decided success. During the intervals the orchestra played bright and pretty music, and prior to the entertainment the Battalion Band played some good selections outside the building. The stage arrangement by Messrs C. Knight and Foster was quite a feature oT the entertainment, which is to be repeated this evening, when all . well-wishers of the convent schools hope to see another large attendance.