GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17947, 4 May 1928, Page 9

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

/ ANNUAL. CONCERT. FIRST RATE ENTERTAINMENT. The unstinted applause accorded every item at .the Girls’ High School concert, held in the . Theatre Royal last evening before a crowded house, was a tribute to the high, standard of the entertainment. For years past the pupils /of the School have pre-sented-.entertainments to audiences in Timaru, but seldom has an audience -been-, so . enthusiastic, as was demonstrated last. night.. This year those l responsible for the .concert have a> wealth of material on which to draw, and they produced, a programme with not a minute ■ wasted from; curtain to curtain. They have derived - fresh and unspoiled humour from*recent events of public interest. They have’ranged their piece's from solemnity, to hilarious laughter; they have introduced snappy and clever presentations. Interspersed throughout are dancing items, performed amidst a colourful scenic background, and'shown off to great effect with gorgeous frocking and coloured lighting. , ; ;; The singing was well-balanced and decidedly sweet, the part songs being especially appealing. Looking parsmart in dresses of green; the School choir were on and off throughout, and at each appearance their popularity increased. They opened the concert with "The Fairies Were Tripping,” and were heard later in cautionary tales, the words of which,rplated appealing little morals. Grouped to form, a living background on the stage, and looking particularly smart in their school uniforms, those pupils not taking special parts, numbering well over 2,00, were heard in vocal attractions, some of them including “The Coasts of High Barbary," and “Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron.” The dancing was outstanding for beauty as far as the costuming effects were concerned. “The Little Duchies,” in which air forms" of the .School participated, was a most colourful presentation. Attired In dresses of all shades* and sizes, and singing sweet excerpts from the opera “Miss Hook of Holland,” the participants could not fail to impress. Their dancing was a pleasure to watch: “The Russian Mazurka” was next to be placed before the audience, and although the numbers on the stage were not so large, the dressing and 'dancing were of a-high standard. “To a Miniature,” presented by the younger pupils, was a haunting melody and dance,, tastefully executed by three couples dressed in Georgian period -attire. The Choir: lent able support with their singing of the pleasing song. Perhaps the most appealing dance of all was “Happy.” To the strains of “I Want to be Happy/’ both senior and junior pupils danced merrily, artayed in all kinds of pleasing costumes. The introduction of brightly coloured sunshades, which were effectively handled by members of the ensemble, was a novelty which took exceptionally well. : “Lincoln Green” was another pretty little dance in fancy costume, the ballet.giving their best. The exhibition of physical drill was very. fine. The assembled school in the background lent great effect. The item demonstrated why it is that the girls of the school are of such fine physique. “The Crystal Gazers” was a humorous sketch, in which two of the senior girls shone brightly. The acting of the principals was excellent. An excerpt from the immortal “Peter Pan” was an item of universal appeal/ The parts in this piece'were splendidly handled, Peter Pan and Wendy being outstanding. The nursery setting;, was most appropriate, and the piece -was the result of careful thought : .and detailed preparation. The Shakespearian scenes were taken from some of his best known works. The ..first, “Coriolanus,” presents a scene In Marcius’s house, during the absence of Marcius at the wars. The play. was. splendidly portrayed by the senior p.upils. “As You Like It” was remarkably well portrayed by the principals, Celia. Rosalind and Orlando.''"' The frocking, appropriate to the period, was a feature. The audience were so enthusiastic over the final'number, "Hi Diddle Diddle,” that a repeat was necessary. It was a delightful pot pourri, .bubbling over with infectious fun, in which the whole School participated. This piece introduces many pupils in the guise of mipe god cate, with

a big moon prominent. The dancing by all, especially the Charleston, was very good. Topicalities were introduced by a sextette of plerettes, who bobbed up from their black and white boxes, and each sang something of interest about Sldey Time, Traffic Inspectors and the like, to the tune of “What Does it Matter.” Two pupils showed pianistic skill, with two duets, the latter of which was played on separate instruments. The orchestra played a prominent part in making the entertainment one of outstanding merit. The performance will be repeated to-night.