METHODIST HOME.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 December 1926, Page 5

METHODIST HOME.

(CONCERT IN' PARISH HALL. AN EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT o The concert given in the Parish Hall last night in aid oi the funds of tlie Methodist Children’s Home was a triumph. iSoth for Mrs Jenkins and Miss Edna Jenkins, who were chiefly responsible for it, and for the children themselves. Ij:-. was one of the finest .children’s concerts ever staged in Masterton, and the audience was surprised at the ability displayed by the. performers, whose cleverness and skilful training were the continual subject of high comment. TMktwo ladies mentioned deserve the \Umnest psaise for their generous efforts in a worthy cause. The children from the Home excelled in singing and elocution, and their and manner of speech were a treat to see and listen to. They spoke clearly and naturally, with a complete absence of that “affectation” which often mars an otherwise good effort. The of the children rejected the possible credit upon Mrs and who have every roaston to feel satisfied with their labours in a cause which appealed to the public of Masterton. to such an extent -that the Parish Hall last night was packed to the doors with an audience that accorded the performers, whether adult or children, a. royal reception./: And the applause was thoroughly deserved, for it was a concert conspicuous for ability, variety and good management. Item followed item in quick succession, and there were no waits between,..thus achieving a trmniph in stage management. No were allowed, except in the ease of the little tots, owing to the fact that the children of Home had to be back at their residence at a reasonable hour. Many willing hands assisted in the production of the concert, anil the whole-hearted, spontaneous service given was a tribute and recognition of the splendid work that Mrs Jenkins and Miss Jenkins undertook in the interests of the orphanage. Mrs Jenkins and Miss Edna .Jenkins instructed the children in elocution, singing and the sketches; Miss Rosewarne played the musical accompaniments; and Mr A. E. Bate taught the boys the physical drill. Probably the most popular item was the nursery rhyme sung by five small Children, some two or three years old. They received a warm reception, which broke into cheers when the tiny tots, m responding to an encore, were presented with a box of chocolates brought by a little girl sympathiser in the audience. The look of surprise on the children s faces, Vud the manner in which they danced at thev boxes from time to time, and shook tAp in the hope of being able to realisWwhat they contained as they continued their, singing, was-a beautiful unrehearsed incident which, strongly appealed to the audience. In each sketch presented by the children the acting was splendid, and the speaking particularly clear and correct. Each Sketch contained a moral which was appreciated by the audience, wlO gave the 1 performers rounds of applause. The play, “The Clock 'Fairies ” bv the junior children, and- the sketch, “Disarming a Foe,” by the senior bovs, probably made the strongest appeal to those present. Strong elocutionary ability was displayed by Bob Davie in “A Lament,” t>> " l > Churchill in a humorous? recital, and by Louie Churchill in “Failure and hue-

Several item? were given l>y performers Mt connected with the Home. The s ; n <rinf of Aliases Rita Masson (Carterton) and Edie Ralph was exceptiongood, and they charmed the audience with glorious voices. Mi Gilding a Access in his contributions, being warmly applauded. The dancing of three young girls was a feature of the entertainment, and had encores been allowed they would doubtless have had to respond again and again. The balloon dance was nicely executed by Miss Merle Dickson. Little Margaret Jenkins brought the house down with her dainty and cleverly executed toe dance and charming manner. Mis's MaTy Logan, in the Russian dance, delighted the audience with the magnificent manner in which she danced” Thi£ little performer was a great favourite frith the audience, and she received a number of floral tributes at the completion of her dance. Pride in school is ever present in children, and when Mary Logan had finished her dance one St. Matthew’s School pupil passed the remark: “Well, she kept St. Matthew’s end up, anyway”—a tribute ' to Mary Logan and to the excellence of the dancing generally at the concert. . ~ , „ The sketch, “Reminiscences, oy 3D S 3 Edna Jenkins and Mr Doug. Edwards, jun.,gfcs equal to the highest „ jjfeional Phdard. The acting was in every respect, and the deexceptionally pleasing, every word being distinctly heard. Both these clevey artists were repeatedly warmly applauded during (he sketch, and the humorous incidents caused roars of laughter. Both Miss Jenkins and Mr Edwards are to ue congratulated on the high standard of their perform-

ance. . Several pleasing selections were placed by an orchestra under the baton of Mr C. M'mS, Ihe members giving their services Dec. The orchestra consisted of:—Conductor, ?dr CY Mills; violins, Messrs L\ P. Sheppard, A. E. vare, - - [Rayne; ’cello, Mis's J. Jenkins; flute, Mr A. Gooder; Marionette, Mr X. A\esney: saxophone, Mr F. Davie; cornet, Mr F. Willoughby; piano, Mr F. R. Beckingsale. Those who took part in the sketch, ** Disannul were George Johnson, EqßfWd Thompson. Percy ponghi, Archie'Stevenson, Claude Churchill, Harry Thompson, Donald Stevenson, Bob Davie, Cecil Cahill, Monty Flynn and Ray Churchill. The drill display was given by Ronald Thompson, Archie Stekenson, Harry Thompson, Donald 'Stevenson, Bob tDavie, Cecil Cahill and Ray Churchill.

In the “Clock Fairies” sketch, the performers were: —Mary, Marjorie Gupwell; Dick, Harry Thompson; Father Time, Bob Davie; Prince Pat, Archie Stevenson; The Nightmare, Claude Churchill; Toy Soldier, Billy Donglii; together with Hour Fairies and Minute Elves.

In the Allegory (in character), the performers were:—lnnocence, Kathleen Gupwell; Nurse, Louie Churchill;. Youth, Gussie Donglii; Old Age, Nellie Stapley; Sorrow, Mary Rush; Love, Esmce Harris.

Several choruses' were splendidly sung by the children of the Home, and comment was heard on all sides in regard to the high standard of the singing. The accompaniments were ably played by 3lrs Rosewarne, Miss Rosewarne, and Miss Edna Jenkins.

In a neat speech at the conclusion of the concert, the Rev. J. Cocker expressed the heartfelt thanks of those associated with the management of the Home at the hearty support given to the concert, and to those who had assisted, especially Mrs and Miss .Tenkins, who trained the children in singing, elocution, and the sketches'; Miss Rosewarne, who acted as pianiste; Mr A. E. Bate, who trained the boys in physical drill; Miss Cameron, Mr A. H. Danie'll, Air D. Edwards, the members of the orchestra, to the ladies who provided refreshments, and to those who made the performers'’ dresses, and otherwise helped. On his motion, these were accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation. Air Cocker also drew attention to the fact that donations to the Home would be gratefully received.

A Christmas tree loaded .with good things, donated by Alasterton business men and residents, was placed upon the stage," and each of the Home children received a Christmas present. Airs Jenkins and Aliss Jenkins "were presented with floral tributes aS a slight mark of appreciation of their efforts', one of the little girls at the Home making the presentations.