PARNELL CONVENT SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT

New Zealand Tablet, 12 November 1914, Page 49

PARNELL CONVENT SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT

•• §.. ’ * (From/our own correspondent.) -S ■ The annual concert of the pupils and ex-pupils of the Sisters of,. Mercy was held at St. Bonaventure’s Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 27 and 28, in-the presence of a very large and enthusiastic audience including many old friends who had come a long distance to show their appreciation of the good work done by the Sisters, . and the programme submitted was far above the, usual stAidard, and ■ reflected' great credit on the Sisters and their able helpers. The items were varied and very interesting, the pretty dresses ad dances and other accessories incidental to the successful production of the dances, also the exquisite music that accompanied them provided spectacles which can only be described as magnificent. The various movements were executed by the children with the utmost precision. There was something about the earnestness ajad -fresh individuality of the youthful perfprmers that lent a peculiar charm and attractiveness to the entertainment. It appealed strongly to the audience, and there was a generous ring about the applause which absolutely eliminated any idea that the feeling was other than an honest, spontaneous tribute to a standard rarely excelled by young people. The overture ‘ Irish diamonds 5 was well rendered by Miss Smith, as also was the piano trio by Misses Myers, Bona Martin, Eileen McGrath, Elsie .Bannister, D. O’Sullivan, and Isabel McGrath. The skirt dance by Miss Barry’s pupils was loudly applauded, and certainly one of the gems of the evening. It was danced to perfection and reflected the greatest credit on this painstaking young lady. The boys were called by the trumpeter (Master Cecil Kay} to render their patriotic songs, ‘We want to be soldiers’ and ‘Soldiers of the King,’ which were loudly applauded. The boys were dressed in uniforms and marched off the stage in perfect time to the well-known and popular song ‘lt’s a long way to Tipperary,’ and the march of the ‘ Marsellaise.’ These items took the house by storm.' The pianoforte duet, .‘Japanese fete dance,’ by Miss Olive Grylls, M. Baggstrom, Eileen McGrath, and D. O’Sullivan was especially well rendered, and the sailor’s hornpipe by Master Follas. The second part of the programme opened with a bright and pretty pianoforte solo, which was well rendered by Miss Galvin, and was followed by the-sparkling and /brilliant operetta, ‘ Princess Chrysanthemum,’ w.hick was exceptionally well staged " and carried the audience to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, the dramatis throughout sustaining their parts admirably , well. r Mr. J. . O’Sullivan , as the Emperor, carried the Imperial dignity flawlessly, and was the very personification of despotic majesty. He was loudly applauded. The bright young Princess Chrysanthemum (Miss Eileen Kelly) looked very courtly in her beautiful Japanese costume, and was a pretty picture when carried by her attendants in her Japanese rickshaw, and the pleasing intonation of her singing voice was highly appreciated. She was presented with a magnificent floral contribution. Saucer Eyes (Miss Charleton) and her wicked Sprites presented themselves to the audience in the scene of ‘ Inky Night,’ where the Sprites in red ' from head to foot, went through their wind dance in the red limelight. Where all did well it is difficult to individualise, : but certainly Miss May McMahon and Miss Vera Cremen deserve special mention. .'Their various movements of the Sprites’ ‘wind dance’ being executed with rare grace and precision. The effect held the audience completely. - Miss "Brightie Barry, as Prince So True, and Miss Ethel Tapp, as Prince So Sir, personated in perfect manner the characters of true and false princes respectively. Miss B.’ Barry, as the goodhearted prince sang and acted (with deep pathos) ‘Down by the swift flowing river,’ the ,sweet clear notes falling--with pleasing .effect; on the ears of the highly* , appreciative audience. To this young lady ''also ■ is* due the clever dances' of the Sprites, especially the artistic

™V m ™ n of the ' Princess ? Chrysanthemum by Miss D. O Sullivan,, and this gifted little dancer held the audience. She was presented with a floral bouquet. Miss Ethel Tapp’s solo, ' The Japanese sailor man,’ won for this young lady a magnificent floral contribution, and also for Miss B. Barry in her song ‘The dawn of love. This is not the first time the remarkable talent of these two young ladies contributed to the success of similar concerts, and their perfect intonation reached every part of the hall. They were.-both beautifully attired for the occasion. Miss Hazel Forte as the Court Chamberlain made an attractive young Japanese herald announcing his Majesty’s commands in a clear, distinct voice, with all the authoritative gestures of a royal favorite. Miss Clarice Cremen, as . Fairy Moonbeam, in her magnificent ninon and dew-drops dress sparkling, with soft white starry jewels, appeared in great splendor with her little fairies. She was also the recipient of a floral contribution. Miss Conny O’Keefe was well received, and her song “Lullaby land’ was artistically rendered. Osan (Miss Greenan) presented a fine appearance as the Emperor’s attendant, as also did the Maidens— Ferguson, - Smith, and O’Keefe tendants on the Princess. The final chorus and tableaux Good night,’ in which all the performers took part, was a scene of fascinating beauty rarely to be surpassed. The operetta culminated in the marriage of Princess Chrysanthemum and Prince So Tru. It was particularly bright and fascinating from beginning to end, the scenery . especially ‘The inky cave’ Was very appropriate and effective. The operetta elicited a storm of applause. The programme of the second night proved even a greater success than did the opening •occasion. The opening song by Miss Madigan, ‘ Chon Kina, was a very attractive item, and she looked a handsome and enchanting picture as she flitted to and fro with her fan in the Japanese style, her voice being heard to advantage, and she was highly appreciated. By special request ‘Cherry blossom time,’ which was rendered on Tuesday night, was repeated. The soloists were Misses Olive Grylls and D. O’Sullivan, ; who as Japanese attendants on the other Tittle Japs arrayed in picturesque Japanese dresses was a very fascinating item, and was well received. Miss Barry sang with great pathos ‘ Asthore,’ and her singing was very much appreciated. Miss Eileen Kelly sang the ‘Bells of Shandon ’ in such a style that the audience had their expectations raised to a high pitch. Mr. Bourke was in splendid voice, and rendered in first-class style ‘ If I were king,’ for which he was vociferously encored, and then sang Mother Machree,’ which was undoubtedly the gem of the evening. His enunciation was remarkably good, every word being clearly heard in every part of the hall. Miss Eileen Green’s recitation, ‘ Whisperin’ Will,’ struck a very sympathetic chord in the hearts of the audience. The humorous sketch, ‘ Chinese boy,’ by a number of boys garbed as Chinese, .was very pleasing. The costumes of the little chaps made a nice sight, and with the moustaches > and pigtails looked typical easterners. ‘The song was so amusing and realistic that they called forth much laughter and applause. The ‘ Sailor’s hornpipe was admirably performed by Mr. F. Brennan, as.was also the ‘ Japanese craze on two pianos by Misses Galvin and Smith. The singing of the National Anthem brought the performance -to a close. ~, - > Much praise is due to the orchestra, which supplied the accompaniments and incidental music' most artistically, especially, to the leader, Mr. Norman Hughes (violinist) and : l Miss Violet Atkins (pianist), assisted by the band under the direction of Bandmaster Nicholls. I;*' ; The Sisters of "Mercy are to be complimented upon the; excellence ~ of this ; production, while 'I Mr.. Young (stage manager) was warmly congratulated : upon the great success . ■ attending his . efforts. ;• V.'V, . r At the conclusion Rev. Father Patterson ascended the stage and thanked the audience for their presence.

and-Congratulated the - Sisters and ’ pupils on the excellence of their entertainments. .' He said the year’s school wprk had been productive of very satisfactory results. conduct of the children marked by docility, application, and earnestness, and their 'Wonderful progress most - gratifying alike to parents and teachers •Bight pupils of Standard VI. were awarded proficiency certificates when the school was ’ examined ! by • Dr. J. iW. Mcllraith, and 1 a splendid report was received. It was stated that,the work presented a high level of efficiency. Very creditable successes were obtained' at the Trinity College examination ? of music. * r ; •l£ The prizes were given by the Sisters, and presented by Rev. Father Patterson. The following is. the prizelist : —Proficiency certificates (gold and silver medals were awarded to the following)—Ellie Millar, Marie Johnson, Thelma McCurdy, Thelma O’Brien, \ Katie Alder, Ernest Bannister, John : McGrath, ; and Joseph Brown. . Special prize, .presented by Rev. Father Patterson, for Christian doctrine to Thelma McCurdy. Special prizes were given to the following Cartar, Elsie Green, Arthur Cremen, William Millar, Athol Skinner, and Andrew Mar key. A special prize was awarded for music to Miss Mona Smith (beautiful bound volume of Beethoven’s Sonaten) presented by Mr. r A. rEady, and gold and silver medals were presented to the following for passing the Trinity College examinations, /. and for proficiency in —Maggie Galvin, ' Lena Myers, Rona Martin, Ruby O’Shea, D. Vincent. Doreen O'Sullivan (silver medal), Nellie Maguire (silver medal),' M. Baggstrom (silver medal presented by a friend) Olive Grylls (silver medal presented by a v friend) . The other music pupils who received prizes were Hilda Hynes, " Eileen and ' Isabel McGrath, Rita Connolly, and A. Etheridge. | The Sisters of Mercy tender their sincere thanks to the ladies who helped with the refreshments, and the gentlemen who devoted their time and labor so generously, in order to make .the concert such . a success.... .