MARIST BROTHERS’ CONCERT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 16 December 1925, Page 9

MARIST BROTHERS’ CONCERT.

SPECTACULAR ENTERTAIN- ■ ■ ment.

The entertainment .given by the pupils of the Marist Brothers School last evening fully justified the confidence shown by those tesponsible for• engaging the Theatre.R°yai f° r this annual fixture. Bright and interesting, with a diversity oT items, each of which well merited the sustained- applause that followed, the programme) from the overture until thA spectacular drama of ancient Rome which concluded, the concert) was decidedly entertaining. Following the overture number “Red Gnomi}/’ brightly .played by a well-balanced orchestra, under. the baton of Mi- Harry Moore,_ the pupils gavel ‘spirited renditions of the National Anthbin and “God Defend New Zealand,” to organ accompaniments suppliedriby the Rev. Brother Fjdelis. -In"concerted • numbers the children gavd evidence of- having received Bbiendid' instruction, their singing of “The Gulden Vanity.” and “The Old Brlgadh” l being tuneful:. and pleasing/* iSdiVicfi* 1' talent was evidenced in'humorous recitation by Master Graham Murdoch) entitled “When Pa Begins to Shave,” and a vocal solo “Silver Threads Among; the Gold,” sung with pleasing effect, by Master John Richardson. A humorous dialogue, “Mary had a little Lamb,” by Masters Patrick Sullivan and Leo. O’Brien, also proved diverting. Sungby the juniors, “The Little Hero” (Adams), proved a very tuneful offering.... The . same high standard was apparent in two choral numbers “Benedictioh” and “The Chapel,” the former sung by the Catholic Glee Club, and the latter by the Glee Club, and the school Choir combined. In “The Chapel,” by Kreutzer, the adult and. juvenile voices blended .with very fine effect, the work being conducted with artistic appreciation by. the Rev. Brother Fidelia. A vocal solo “Long, Long Ago” by Master Leo Cosgrove, very well rendered, and the chorus “Come Back to Erin,” delivered by the school to an orchestral accompaniment, added variety. A delightful little ■: interlude entitled “Some Scotch,” was provided by a diminutive pair, billed as “Thg Twins.” Attired in Highland costume, the comedians, who proved to be the Masters Durning, sang “Roaming in the Gloaming” with very appropriate accent; The turn was vigorously applauded. A cleverly arranged flag march was heightened by splendid lighting effects. The pupils received a warm ovation for the steadiness in which the .march was carried out. A humorous recitation, “Three Blind Mice,” by Mastef Frank Durning, concluded a very interesting portion of The programme.

"The remainder of the hill was devoted 'to 'the presentation of the Roman drama. “Tarcissius.” Depicting the relentless persecution of tile Christians „by Maximian, the Roman Emperor, the drama tells of Tafciasius, a Christian orphan hoy, who, while carrying the Holy Sacrament to. his brethren incarcerated in the Mamertine, is set upon by a Roman mob, and is almost done to death. His rescue by Sebastian and Quadratus, and their subsequent apprehension for their Christian faith, was realistically, portrayed. The drama concluded' with a splendid tableau proclaiming that “Christ not Caesar reigns in Rome.” Careful attention had been devoted to historical detail, both in regard to customs and costuming, and a very interesting presentation,,resulted. The cast was as follows:—Maximian, Mr C. Clarke; Tertullus, Mr N. Murdoch; Corvinus, ?J. Pearse; Fulvius, Mr J. Smith; Fabius, F. Ketts; Calphurnius, Mr P. Cronin; Proculus, J. Ketts; Arminius, L. Schaab; Lictors, D. Murphy, F. King; Pagan Priests, P. Sullivan, K. Hall, D. Cosgrove, D. Doyle; Standard Bearer, R. Fox; Balbus, W. Richardson; Petilius, R. Sutherland; Marcus, A. Crowe; Roman Matron, Miss ji. Collins; Slave (to Fulvius), J. O’Leary; Dionysius, Mr W. Smith; Repartus, J. Daly; Quintus, F. McGrath; Quadratus, Mr A. Mcßae; Sebastian, Mr J. Cunningham; Tarcissius, P. Hall; Pancratius, G. Murphy; Cassianus, J. Schaab; Diogenes, J. Seaman; Torquatus, E. McQuillan; Flavius, G. Dunne; Ist Citizen, R. Smith; 2nd Citizen, H.’Hall; 3rd Citizen, ,Manrice Crowe; Justus (Fabius’ Steward), J. Richardson; Servant (of Pancratius), J. Cosgrove. Miss M. Emery, L.A.8., and Miss Patricia Lynch, L.A.8., acted as accompanistes.