DRAMATIC RECITAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17243, 31 October 1927, Page 8

DRAMATIC RECITAL.

Ptfß RUSSELL-WOOD AND PUPILS.

At the Town Hall on Saturday night, before a large audience, Mr Waller Russell-Wood presented some of his Hamilton and Auckland pupils in a costume and dramatic recital. The work was o"f an unusually high standard, with a delightful finish, and as the programme was of a varied nature, the costumes charming, the lighting very effective, and the presentation all that it should he, there was nothing lacking to make the recital thoroughly enjoyable.

Mr Russell-Wood was first heard in Henley's "Matri Dilectissimae," those beautiful lines which describe so poignantly the passing of a noble mother and the grief of her sons. All the beauty, the pathos, and the inspiration of the lines were revealed by the reciter, and a piano and violin obligato added greatly to the effect. Later Mr Russell-Wood was associated ' with Miss Eileen Hill in the broadly comic "Blossom Writes a Film Scenario," the characterisation of the performers causing much hilarity. Miss Hill also appeared with Miss Ruth Johnstone in " The Crystal Gazer," a diverting sketch, cleverly done, of a misunderstanding that ended happily. Several charming little plays were prose .ted. In " Bedtime," a delightful sccna written by Miss Audrey Perry, of Auckland, the children were played appealingly by Dorothea de Montalk, Zoe Faville, Lloyd Nisbet, with Miss Osmers as the nurse, and the recitations introduced were well delivered. " The Princess Innocence " was a charming allegory of the experiences awaiting a maiden in her journey through life, played convincingly by Thelma Judge (the Princess), Edna Smcaton (the Jester), Ruth Johnstone (Nurse), Mrs E. 15. Lovell (Sorrow), Rose Moule (Song), Beta Gilmer (Youth), Merle Cliff- (Riches), and Enid Hosking (Love). In the fairy play, "Children of the Rainbow," telling of the " better self" hidden in the heart of every child, the characters were splendidly taken by Zoc Holmes, Dawn Rogerson, Zoe Faville, Doris Mildenhall, Hubert Primrose, Lloyd Nisbet, and Ivan Plodder. Several Shakespearean recitals were given—Miss Enid Hosking gave due emphasis to the prologue from "Henry V."; Miss Doris Mildenhall was a mischievous Puck; and Miss Edna Smeaton brought out the humour of the scene in which Launcelot Gobbo is worried by his conscience. One of the outstanding items of the evening was the monologue, " A Story of the Arena," by Miss Enid Hosking, the dramatic and pathetic story of a Christian maid and a pagan convert being delivered with telling effect. Little Zoe Faville. an extremely clever child, won all hearts in her appealing character recitation, " A Beautiful Dream." Norma Shepherd recited " Earthenware " well. Humour was provided by Mrs E. B. Loved in "The Safety Pin," Miss Edna Smcaton in " Catching a Mouse," Miss Kathleen Rapps in " Mrs Brown on Honesty," Mr Hector Anderson in " Wedding Day Speeches," and Miss Ruth Johnstone and Mr Ainsworlh Donovan in the sketch, "The Reason Why."

The vocalist, Miss Rose Moule, has a voice of beautiful quality, and her items, "My Ships " and " Big Lady Moon," gave much pleasure to the audience. Sympathetic accompaniments were played by Misses Gladys Hill and Marjorie Green, with Miss lsobel Leak as violinist. The artistic lighting effects were provided by Mr J. Loughlm, and Mr Esmond Sharp was a capable stage manager. The recital reflected the greatest credit on Mr Russell-Wood and his pupils.