Joys of Childhood

Transcript

Joys of Childhood

Children’s Charming Entertainment at Windsor Theatre

In aid of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club Boathouse Fund, a very charming children’s entertainment was given at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday afternoon.  There was a remarkably good attendance, and the large audience was thoroughly delighted with the programme, which was entitled, “Joys of Childhood.”  It was written and produced by Mrs Cyril Dyson, with songs by Miss Alma Hetherington, both of whom must be congratulated upon the daintiness and beauty of the performance.  The programme was divided into four parts, namely, “Spring” – A Picnic in Woods; “Summer” – At the Seaside; “Autumn” – The Glories of Nature; and “Winter – The Christmas Party.  Over forty children took part, and they presented their respective characters in a most charming and natural manner.  None of the little ones seemed at all perturbed in facing the footlights, and performed their parts without a trace of shyness or self-consciousness.  They entered thoroughly into the spirit of the authors’ “book,” and seemed to enjoy it all much as the audience.  When it is sta[indistinct text] that their rehearsals commenced as far back as the month of June, it will be recognised what a great amount of work was entailed, Mrs Dyson and her willing helpers. dresses of the children were wonderfully effective, and most of them must have taken many hours to make.  The attire of those who represented a lobster was particularly good and came in for much admiration.  The mothers of the children must have spent a great deal of time in preparing the children for the entertainment.  

The staging of the four scenes was excellent, and the picture presented on the stage with all the children were grouped there was […] effective.  The ages of the children ranged from 2 years to about 13 years.  It was very difficult to select any one child for special praise, where all did so well.  songs were most appropriate and were admirably rendered, while the dancing the whole of the children was splendid.

In the first scene representing “Spring”, Mrs Seymour took the part of “Mother and performed it admirably. She also sang an appropriate song.  The children were seen enjoying a picnic in the woods, and they were all very charming.  Priscilla Yates was a vivacious “daughter,” and all her “friends” were splendid. 

The second scene, entitled “Summer” was very pretty, and the abode of the Mermaid Queen was just lovely. “Mr Lobster” (Joan Betteridge) and “Mrs Shrimp” (Elsie Batt-Rawden) were very good indeed and rendered an appropriate song very prettily.  Little Audrey Dyson looked sweet as a pearl in her shell.  Beryl Tucker was admirable as Pamela, and she was greatly assisted by the other “Little Mortals.”  Joyce Manning was excellent as Queen of the Mermaids, and Patricia Tucker made a capable King Neptune.  We should like to mention all the children individually, but it would take up too much space, and we must refer our readers to the names in the programme given in full below.

“Autumn ” was the third scene staged, and this was also very charming, the children all doing well.  The dancing was most effective  The Harvesters performed their parts very naturally; the duet by Betty Nind-Smith and Priscilla Yates was very effective; and Joan Betteridge (The Wind), and Una Jones (The Spirit of Autumn) gave a most attractive “turn.”  The children in “Falling Leaves” and the Fruit Pickers (with Elsie Batt-Rawden as soloist) gave a most attractive display.  A scene representing a four-oar rowing boat, together with the coach with a miniature bicycle and a megaphone, was greatly appreciated and heartily applauded.

The last scene depicting “Winter” showed us a very charming Christmas party in full swing.  The hostess was Jean Dowling; the host, Mr C. L. Andrews; and Father Christmas, Mr J. V. Corps all of whom were splendid and helped considerably to make the sketch a success.  An outstanding feature was the clever dancing on roller skates by Priscilla Yates, who was loudly applauded for a most attractive performance in limited space.  The three dancers (Peggy Dunstan, Enid Harding, and Beryl Tucker) also gave a well-finished ballet dance.  Joan Ellery performed a capital step dance, which was arranged by Miss Phoebe Chaplin.  The other guests, who included practically all the characters in nursery rhymes, were admirable, the wonderful colours of the dresses being very picturesque.  The interruption of the game, “Oranges and Lemons,” by carol singers outside the “house” (by kind permission of Mr Geoffrey Leeds) was very realistic.  The whole of the dances throughout the programme was arranged by Mrs Cyril Dyson, who had worked tremendously hard for months past to make the show a success.

At the conclusion of the programme, Mr C. L. Andrews handed bouquets, on behalf of the Rowing Club, to Mrs Dyson and to Miss Hetherington, and in the course of a felicitous speech, thanked them very cordially.  He also thanked the mothers and the children (“his family” as he called them).  He said that if the audience had enjoyed the performance as much as they had they were very happy.  In conclusion, Mr Andrews thanked the audience for their attendance in such large numbers, as it would materially help the Boathouse Fund. Gifts were also handed to Mrs Dyson and Miss Hetherington from the parents of the children.

Mrs Dyson, who was heartily applauded, thanked Mr Jack Gladwin (lessee), Mr. R. G. Robinson, the Theatre resident manager, and Mr J. Smith, of the Theatre staff, for all their help, and also the Denville Players for their co-operation.  Mrs Dyson then went on to thank Mr Andrews for his kind words and the Rowing Club for the bouquet.  Proceeding she thanked the mothers of the children for their gift, and all those who had rendered her such willing assistance.

The following orchestra kindly played the excellent music for the songs and dances: Violins, Mrs Blanchett and Miss Catherine Campbell; ‘cello, Mr Admans; and piano Miss Alma Hetherington.

The children who took part in the performance were pupils of Miss Phyllis Bedell, Miss Mildred Blanchett, Miss Phoebe Chaplin, Miss Joyce Durnford, and Miss Ruby Peel

The proceeds of the performance expected to realise about £30.

The full programme was as follows:-

SPRING

A Picnic in the Woods

Priscilla’s Friends:

SUMMER

At the Seaside

Little Mortals:

AUTUMN

The Glories of Nature

WINTER

The Christmas Party

Images

---