GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18551, 24 April 1930, Page 8

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT. OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. It was appropriate that for the Jubilee year, the 1940 concert staged by pupils of the Timaru Girls’ High School in the Theatre Royal last night, should be such an unqualified success in every way. Despite the fact that pupils had been occupied for some time with the Juohee celebrations, it could be seen by the quality of last night’s entertainment, that the enthusiastic spirit that pervades all School activities, was fully extended so as to assure the success of the concert. The popularity of the fifteen items was shown in an emphatic manner by the packed audience. Whose enthusiastic applause was a tribute to the capabilities of the girls, and also to the great amount or work put in by those responsible for the performance. The pupils of the school have been renowned through the years for their excellent vocal attainments, and last night the programme was freely interspersed with delightful numbers which enabled the girls to display their ability in this direction. The School choir, of some fifty in number, were called upon on many occasions, and carried out all that was required of them with the utmost credit. “I Saw Lovely Phyllis” was a delightful introductory item, which left the audience clamouring for more. In well-known Negro spirituals the girls excelled, “Heav’n,” "Steal Away” and “Peter Ring Dem Bells” being some of the numbers that brought out the highest quality of the melody in these plantation songs. With the school grouped on tiered seats at the rear of the stage, the effect was most impressive, when they sang "The May Queen” and "Tht* Song of the Scissorman.” The combination cf v*>L:es was characterised by a delightful sweetness, and in the second number, which allowed for much part singing, the harmony and general technique was a credit to the School. Dancing, which was an important feature of the entertainment, was splendidly varied, each number introducing a beautifully arrayed bailee, which danced its way into public appreciation right from the start. “The Irish Jig” allowed for the finest in frocking, the green and red capes and dresses providing the necessary national atmosphere. In “The Sailors’ Dance” the girls performed with merry abandon to the tune of "Forty-Seven Ginger Headed Sailors,” at the same time carrying out the action of the song with splendid effect. Here again the uniforms were in keeping with the high standard cf dressing during the whole performance. The ’ast effort of the ballet was in “Moonshine,” a particu-”-ly bright little dance, in which edatd effect was obtained by brilliant lighting and bright costuming. Many of the dances were musically accompanied, the vocal requirements being ably met by the choir. The junior pupils of the school can always be relied upon to introduce something of a surprise, and in their medley of song and dance, this year’s surprise was a very pleasant one. Neatly attired in dresses of blue, relieved with yellow, the young folk formed a circle on the stage, and as such characters as Mr Frog. Mr and Mrs Rat. the Fisherman, and Christopher Robin, made their appearance appropriate little songs being sung, and splendid dancing witnessed. In one group, the tinker, tailor, soldier, Sailor, richman, poorman, ploughboy, beggarman and thief, of nursery rhyme fame, presented a very pleasing spectacle. The originality of this part of the programme was a decided factor in its success.

The School is noted for the prominent part physical culture plays in thecurriculum, and no better evidence of i this could be aAured than in the drill display last night. The accuracy and precision with which the squad of twenty-eight girls obeyed the commands, worked the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm, and the effect of the school grouped back of stage, made the assemblage a most impressive one. Much humour was introudeed by | the awkward squad, who made their | appearance later in the evening, the manner in which (hey made their entry being decidedly novel and entertaining. More humour was forthcoming with the appearance of six girls, wearing the fashions of the different periods, who each rang a verse of “Other Days and Other Ways,” a topical song of clever composition. The verses dealt with the times when dresses swept eight-inches in the dirt, when riding a bike was a crime, and were excellently contrasted to the ways of Miss 1930, who did not fail to show her appreciation of the beneficial changes that had taken place in the last decade. There were always predominant however, the dear old days which were lived again in the recent Jubilee. Excellent elocution and a splendid plot were the essentials in the succrcs of “Cinderella’s Slippers,” a delightful playette which was exceptionally well produced and acted. The story embraced a family of girls and a boy. who craved the luxuries and pleasures of the more fortunate, but who, when given their opportunities for one night through the agency of a Fairy Godmother, unanimously agreed that in some cases sackcloth was better than scarlet. The piece was brimful of wit and humour, and was portrayed with a freshness that is always found in entertainments provided by the School. The other dialogue of the programme was provided by two pupils in a see* e from “Henry the Eighth,” Henry VIII and Catherine Parr. The King's partiality for unreasonable argument and Catherine’s desire to have the last word, allowed the players excellent scope for capital Entertainment. The frocking of the period gave the scene the required atnWsphere. Not for some time has the stage of the Theatre Royal presented such a wonderful appearance as it did last night for the final scene “The Wedding Carnival,” which was based on the popular “Wedding of the Painted Doll.” In dresses of different hues, the School, grouped at the rear of the stage, presented an unforgettable sight, while the manner in which the different characetrs of the song were introduced was a revelation. “Red Riding Hood” and “Buster Brown,” were the first to appear, followed by the “Jumping Jack,” the girls from the follies and the bridesmaids with their pretty faces and fancy laces. The sweet little bride then entered with her father, the clergyman and the nervous bridegroom, and the ceremony was performed in accordance with the song. The effect with which the scene was produced, can best be seen to be appreciated, but it is quite safe to say that “The Wedding Carnival” is one of the finest undertakings ever made by the School. Never perhaps has a similar audience been more enthusiastic, and despite the fact that an encore was generously complied with, the applause was still thunderous. The School orchestra provided acceptable selections throughout the performance. The concert will be repeated to-night.