WANGANUI GIRLS’ COLLEGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 190, 14 August 1940, Page 7

WANGANUI GIRLS’ COLLEGE

PREPARATORY CONCERT ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME GIVEN LAST NIGHT A series of enjoyable concerts was brought to a close last night, when the Preparatory Department of the Girls’ College entertained a large and appreciative audience in the School Hall. As the Preparatory Department is to be closed at the end of the year, this concert, which was given in aid of Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. funds, was the last performance by the junior school.

The programme opened with Schubert’s “March Militaire,” played by the percussion band. The members of the band, who are the junior members of the Preparatory Department, showed a good sense of rhythm, and kept excellent lime under the conductorship of Eva Rosenbaum. A piano solo, “Romance in G,” was played with pleasing expression and sureness of touch by Margaret Eden. The first of the three plays. “Courage,” by Kate Harvey, was set in Holland, and was acted by the girls of Forms I and 11. A clog dance by two of the girls in their colourful costumes, and a realistic storm, 'were interesting features of the play, which, though not an easy one, was pleasantly and naturally acted. The cast was as follows: —The Mother (B. Whiteley), Jan (R. Pettit), Hendrick (G. Jones), Josef (S. Sherriff), Franz (N. Morgan), Greta (Ml Hooker). As an interlude, a duet, "Dandelion.” was sung by Shirley Smith and Shirley Sherriff. The junior preparatory pupils obviously enjoyed themselves in “Cinderella at Home,” a play in which Cinderella, now happily married to the prince, gives a party to her fairytale friends. The children were dressed in gaily-coloured court costumes, and, down to the smallest guest, were word-perfect and spoke clearly and naturally. The cast was as follows:—Cinderella (B. Freeman). Prince Charming (J. Ralph), Footman! (B. Carver), Madame Mandragora (J.' Delves), Lady Henna (A. Carver),! Lady Camomile (A. Coule). Dr. Sal-, solo (Y. Bailey), Madame Fatma (MJ London), Mr. Ready (J. Scanlon), Mr. Steady (V. Hodges), the Queen of Hearts (E. Rosenbaum), the Knave of Hearts (A.. Allen The second half of the programme consisted of a play in four scenes. “Peter Grief.” by Olive Allen, performed by the senior girls of the Preparatory Department. The play, an amusing phantasy, was set in early Victorian days. The costunrng was excellent, some beautiful old frocks being worn by the grander characters. The girls acted their parts most convincingly, the change from perfection in the opening scenes, to rebellion as Peter Grief led them astray, being most entertaining. The cast was:— Peter Grief (Ml Eden). Mrs. Pluperfect (F. MacPhail), Miss Jane Pluperfect (L. Newsome). Miss Harriet Pluperfect (J. Horsley), Miss Louisa Pluperfect (J. Russell), Master Henry Pluperfect (S. Smith), Lady Fitzherbert (P. Hickson). Hon. Augusta Fitzherbert (M. Morgan), Susan (C. Holdaway).