MAIN SCHOOL OPERETTA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19671, 13 December 1933, Page 2

MAIN SCHOOL OPERETTA

THEATRE ROYAL CROWDED

PERFORMERS EXCEL THEMSELVES

The reputation the pupils of the Timaru Main School enjoy for providing something out of the ordinary in end-of-year entertainment was fully maintained last night when a crowded audience in the Theatre Royal was roused to a high pitch of 'enthusiasm over the colourful presentation of “Lost in Holland,” a delightful operetta allowing the fullest scope for tuneful singing, bright dancing and brilliant costuming, lighting and scenic effects. The production certainly set a standard which should make any similar undertaking by the school in the future a very difficult matter. Last night’s outstanding result could not have been achieved without the whole-hearted cooperation of the staff, parents and children, and to the staff especially, who were responsible for the training of the children and the direction of the operetta, must every credit be given. The policy of the teachers in allowing as many children as possible to take part in the annual entertainment again bore fruit, as their young charges entered into the spirit of the production with enthusiasm, and appeared to derive as much enjoyment as members of the audience.

“Lost in Holland” had a spectacular opening, the stage being transformed into a typical Dutch scene w'ith the children attired in national costume, a touch of reality being lent by the provision of a working windmill and a vessel on the waters of a canal. It was in this setting that an attractive story was introduced. The story, however, acted only as the basis of the fast-moving scenes which followed, the stage being a centre of great activity with ever-changing dances and choruses. The characters in Act 1 were:—Jan (R. Castle), Max (R. Moffat), Frau Martendyk (R. Sirett), Gertrunn (J. Leggott), Piet, (N. Gould), Mathis (A. Boyd), Wicked Fays (P. Irvine, M. Cowe), Mynn (J. Darbyshire), Mrs John Bull (M. Cross), Alice (J. Wilkinson), Fairy Queen (H. McDougall), M. Van Ooost (V. Marten), Retainer (I. Dickson), Beatrice rs. Herron), Margaret (J. Cross). The opening chorus, “Land of Dykes and Windmills,” in which the soloists were L. Chamberlain and J. Lewis, gave an early indication of the vocal qualities of the children, while subsequent choruses which were heartily given were “We Are Bright Fairies" and “Farewell.” The solo numbers, some of which were effectively supported by the chorus were “Lords of Creation” and “Glide Sleepy Canal” (J. Lewis), “Wooden Shoon” and "Little Dutch Housewife” (J. Darbyshire). Attractively attired the ballet danced themselves into immediate favour, while two very fine clog dances were given by another set of children. The clog dancers were: M. Donaldson, J. Bonham, E. Verdon, N. Neilson, J. Owens, E. Bell, M. Bryan. J. Gardiner, I. Barlow, J. Begg, E. Beynon, J. Griffiths, L. deLatour, J. McKintosh, P. Fielding, E. Eaton, J. Benson, J, Sparks, J. Woods, and I. McDonald; the ballet comprising —M. Boyd, B. Hardingham, B. Rudge, S. Walker, M. Dooley, M. Geddes, G. Griffiths, I. Fielding, E. Stirling, X. Fairbrother, D. Peebles, E. Maxwell, M. Pullin, B. Pullin, and D. Johnston. The story took the audience into an entirely different scene for the second act—the realm of Saint Nicholas. Here the subjects of toyland were faithfully interpreted, the brilliant dressing effects and scenery again being outstanding. The characters were:— Officer of Watch (L. Cleveland), Governor (K. Bracefleld), Soldier (A. Woolford), Drummer (D. Parker). Florice (F. Necklen), Goldilocks (D. Robinson), Gipsy (M. Ellis), King of Hearts (J. Dudley), Shepherdess (M. Branthwaite), Dolls (J. Mayne, D. New'man, C. Williamson), St. Nicholas (T. Simpson), Gollywog (I. Brooks), Black Rupert <M. Williams), Intelligence Officer (E. Neilson). The vocal numbers "Cradle Song” Mozart (Madge Boyd), “Toyland Town” (F. Necklen), "In the Watches of the Night (L. Cleveland and R. Knott), and "The Toymaker’s Dream” (A. Bracefleld), were interwoven with chorus and dance, “The Lancers” being danced by V. McCann, A. Simpson, L. Bezzant, R. Cross, O. Gibson, H. Clark. B. Lyons. D. Finnic, J. Rennie, B. Nicholl, G. Hathaway, C Hessell. D. Hillary, G. McDonald, I. Dennison and R. Hunt, and “Varsoviana” by A. Simpson. N. Prince. M. Sirett, V. McCann, J. Hannah, N. Sirett, D. Finnie, L. Currie, J. Luke, K. Watson, F. Verdon, W. Cunningham, W. Ford, K. Low, G. Annear, and R. Henderson. The audience showed marked appreciation of an exhibition of rythmic fencing by a group of boys in costume, the display being easily one of the finest items of the night. The boys were:—S. Dellow, R. Waddell, E. Freeme, G. Fraser, P. Beswarick, L. Spurdon, R. Moffatt, J. Donaldson. E. Thompson. A. Johnston, L. Simms, and L. Mattingley.

In the third act a return was made to the opening Dutch scene, in which songs and choruses were continued. These included "Hail! Hail! St. Nicholas" (V. Marten). “We are Jolly Little Callywogs" and "Dr. Birch” (M. Williams) and “Good Night." A high standard was reached by a group of girls in “Tire Ribbon Dance." an offering which would have done credit to girls of more mature years. The dancers were: E. Tinker. H. Hammond. J de Latour. C. Woods, F. Necklen, J. Carney, J. Brown, C. Pontifcx. M. Waters, B. Bennett, E. Stephenson and V. Silverlock. Another welcome appearance was made by the clever ballet. while the concluding piece, "In the Watches of the Night." was one of the most brilliant spectacles ever attempted by primary school children. As the separate groups representing the parts they played in the operetta, marched across the stage, they gave the closing stages of the production a decided military flavour, and introduced a finale which was novel In treatment and Impressive to a degree. The musical score was In the hands of an orchestra arranged by Mr G. Campbell, the accompanist being Miss A. Campbell. During an interval the chairman of the School Committee, in addressing the audience, said that all must agree that the entertainment was a great success. The organisation had been splendid, and the boys and girls had proved themselves a credit to the school. He congratulated the staff on the smoothness of the arrangements, Mr Campbell and his orchestra for giving their services and Mr C. Clark who organised the fencing display given by the boys.