ST. BRIDE'S CONVENT, MASTERTON

New Zealand Tablet, 29 December 1910, Page 2166

ST. BRIDE'S CONVENT, MASTERTON

A large audience attended the annual breaking-up concert and prize distribution at St. Bride’s Convent (says the local Times). The entertainment was the most successful ever held in connection with the institution, due wholly to the devoted work of the promoters in endeavoring to reach a high standard. Their efforts met with abundant reward in that each item was loudly and enthusiastically applauded by the crowded audience, who thoroughly appreciated the excellent performance. Each contributor to the programme performed her part in a manner which clearly demonstrated that she had not been idle in regard to practice. Every item was executed in that finished and cultured style which is characteristic of performances given under the auspices of the convent. The first part of the programme was composed of the following items —Pianoforte solo (two pianos), Misses McKenna and Hanify; violin solo, Miss Hanify; vocal solo, Miss C. McLachlan; pianoforte solo, Miss Hanify; pianoforte duet. Misses Fuller and McKenzie. The whole of the second portion of the programme was taken up by the production of the operetta, ‘ The Magic Ruby,’ by the pupils of the convent. The piece was delightfully carried out, and very pleasing in all respects. The performers acquitted themselves in a most creditable manner, the 'whole production being completed without a hitch of any kind. The cast of characters, which was a strong one, was as follows: Nellie O’Neill, the General’s adopted daughter, Miss Coralie Smythson; Elsie, Miss Symes; Violet, Miss D. Jones; Rose, Miss Nelson; Dorothy, Miss Brooks; Major-General Bangs, V.C., Miss Jessie Milne; Patrick O’Flaherty Terence McGee, his servant, Miss J. Taylor; Harry Lisle, clerk in the Government offices, Miss C. McKenzie; the Rajah of Rajahpore, Miss O’Connell; Ah Sin, his Chinese servant, Miss Hanify; Natives, Nautch Giles, Populace, the Misses Cress (2), Hodgins, McComsky, McKenzie, Parsons, Galvin, Page, Hodgins; Electra, the Goddess of Light, Miss M. Bunny; Raj, the Sakshasma, a bad spirit, Miss McKenna; Spirits of Light, the Misses Taylor, Dwyer, Bunny, and O’Leary; Imps of Darkness, the' Misses Page, Bunny (2>. Duggan, and Mitchell. The Mayor (Mr. J. M. Coradine) delivered a short speech, in which he eulogised the splendid work being carried on by the Sisters and the attentive way in which the students discharged their duties. The Mayor then presented the prizes to the successful pupils. The length prize list spoke of a happy combination of intelligence and assiduity on the part of pupils during the past year. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna also spoke a few words, thanking the audience for their presence and the promoters for the excellent entertainment provided.